Betrayed by the one you love

The pain of betrayal by the one you love - have you ever been close to a betrayal like this? Do you remember the pain exhibited by the hurting party? Well, imagine the pain of Hosea knowing that God is instructing him to marry a woman that will betray him just like Israel has done God!

Do you feel the broken heart of the man in the photo? God cries like this when we turn to something or someone other than Him to feel that hole in our being...

God instructed Hosea to name his children the following and watch the progression of pain...Jezreel which indicates the venegeance on the dynasty of Jehu, to which King Jeroboam belonged. Do you want your first child named with talk of avenging something? Next, is the daughter names Lo-ruhamah-"not loved" for I will no longer show love to the people. God is rejecting the people and he is naming a young girl not loved to live with daily! Next, we have Lo-ammi- "not my people" total rejection of the people for I am not their God. Hosea was so obedient. You know how much he loved his children, but he followed God's instructions and named his children these names to walk through life with because he was told to name them these names.

Yet, he had to be encouraged when in verse 10 - he was reminded that the people will be like the sands of the seashore-too many to count! He knows someday they will be returned to where they belong! He knows in his heart that God loves them and now is just a time for the betrayal to be shown to them. He wants them to know his pain and Hosea is how this is done. Unfaithfulness hurts!

Yes God forgives, but the pain is real! Hosea's pain is so real and so is God's...don't you feel it in verse When she runs to other lovers, she won't catch the. She will search for them but not find them. Then she will think, I might as well return to my husband...Might as well because nothing better comes along I'll return to what I know! Oh the pain...

Betrayal hurts and only time and God's love heals so what happens when it is God that is betrayed? He still forgives, but it doesn't mean that we haven't broken His heart!

Sweet blessings,
Debbie