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and forgiveness found their rightful place. This is a perfect example of
forgiveness as God forgives an adulterous generation then and now.
However, the person who has failed must also accept forgiveness—which is
not symbolism—because any person must also forgive himself or herself.
The messages from Hosea graphically represent the Lord’s position with
Israel [a chosen people], then and now. Forgiveness evidences failure, but
God’s Will is only fulfilled in repentance.
The word
pr o s t i t u t i on
is only familiar to you when used in a worldly sense;
in the broadest sense, it means to devote or to corrupt for unworthy
purposes. The essence of the word adultery means to be
apo s t a t e , i na c t i v e ,
o r hard o f hear t .
Any heart converted in love never would act in
adulterous ways, and not committing adultery is one of the original
commandments. In a worldly sense, the seducer corrupts and seduces the
weak. When seduced, we are prostituted for another purpose: evil. So, when
Israel [past tense] or the chosen people of God [present tense] are
disobedient to the Lord, such disobedience must result in change and
purification. What was seduced must be forgiven as accepted, for change
occurs through the brokenhearted rather than in the proud
pronouncements of what seduces. Seldom do we accept or like the process.
However, it is necessary for justice to prevail, or we would be lost forever
and unchanged. As we see the physical properties of past humanity, we
must continually remember that the word of God is spiritual and active.
Regardless of where the mistakes take place, we must learn from the
mistakes of the past, but we should especially learn from our own mistakes.
We are an adulterous generation, just as these scriptures state.
Hosea brought a charge against Israel’s pride, and it is perfectly applicable
today. He addressed the people, ministers, and priests because of their
prideful hidden agenda, and little has changed except the span of time:
“Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a
charge to bring against you who live in the land: ‘
The r e i s no f a i t h f u l ne s s ,
no l ov e , no a cknowl edgmen t o f God i n t he l and .
There is only cursing,
lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and
bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land mourns, and all who
live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the
fish of the sea are dying. [The sad reality is of course that Satan is having its
way, and the human condition is sorely failing.] But let no man bring a
charge, let no man accuse another, for your people are like those who bring
charges against a priest. You stumble day and night, and the prophets