May 29, 2011 – Hosea 3-5

The profit Hosea and his relationship with his wife and his prophecy is all about their relationship and how it relates to God's relationship with Israel. Hosea's wife was a harlot, but instead of deserting her he took her back. Hosea's Relationship and his forgiveness and his commitment to his wife is compared to God's commitment to Israel. This commitment to Israel in to the Jews is not something that is not erased because of Christ. We will read in Romans in our next reading about Paul's understanding of this relationship and that even though the Jews rejected Christ and Christianity shifted its focus to the Gentiles that does not diminish Christ or God's relationship with the Jews. There's always going to be a place in God's Mystery and in God's plan for Israel and the Jews. That covenant that was established with Abraham is never going to be erased. Christ confirms this when he says that not a single thing will be our erased from the old way until it is fully fulfilled. And although Christ fulfills much of what was shown, that relationship cannot be completely separated. It is impossible for God to betray a relationship that he formed, so there must be some way that Israel and the Jews will be brought into the new Fold.