Scandalous Grace And Reckless Love.Part 1mp3

Scandalous Love And Reckless Grace Part 1 In around 750 BC GOD called upon the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute named Gomer See Hosea 1:2 NB Gomer was a prostitute before her marriage to Hosea. Prostitution in ancient Israel was frequently linked with idolatry and pagan rites and ritualistic sexual acts. Gomer betrayed Hosea 's faithful love and care and returns to prostitution. In Hosea 2:1-13 we read a catalogue of offences against her husband which should have incurred judgement ( See Leviticus 20:10-12 and Deuteronomy 22:22-24) We see in the actual lives of Hosea and Gomer the message of GOD's unrelenting, faithfulness to His people,in stark contrast to their persistent rebellion despite their covenant relationship with Him. GOD is the faithful husband of His unfaithful Wife the nation of Israel . See Isaiah 54:5 Jeremiah 31:32 GOD declares His undying love for His Wife Israel in Hosea 2:19-20 This is displayed in Hosea going again to his wife Gomer and redeeming her presumably from the brothel owner in Hosea 3:1-2 Raisen cakes were used in legitimate celebrations but they were also used in pagan worship and offerings. Here is a picture of GOD's unfailing steadfast covenant love - in Hebrew- "Chesed". This mirrors the LORD 's persistent love for Israel and for us all. See Romans 5:8 Now in Hosea 3:1 we see another beautiful Hebrew word :"ahabh" ( pronounced a-ha-va) This is an onomatopoeic word. It sounds like the steady beating of the heart or breathing when asleep with the rise and fall of the chest. See this word also used in Genesis 22:2 In Jeremiah 31:3.we see both the words "ahabh"-"loved" and "chesed" - loving kindness / steadfast covenant love and mercy. Hosea redeemed his wife Gomer with 15 pieces of silver and around 50 kg of barley. See Hosea 3:2 We have been redeemed not with silver or gold but with the blood of Messiah Himself. See 1Peter 1:18-19 Throughout the Scriptures we see GOD's love and faithfulness to His people Israel the Wife of Yahweh, and to His people The Church the Bride of Christ- two separate groups of people. GOD is faithful to keep His promises to both. His promises never expire nor does His faithfulness crack under pressure. The Scriptures are like a beautiful tapestry of living examples that reveal GOD's heart, His character and His ways. Covenant as, GOD designed it is not merely an agreement, but an unbreakable bond cut in blood. In His covenant with Abraham, GOD walked through blood and made His promises to Abraham (See Genesis 15) including the physical land of Israel. The New Covenant is made in the shed blood of Messiah See Luke 22:20 Our redemption and standing in GOD's family is not based on our performance or perfection but is based on GOD's covenant. Our place in The Father's heart is not earned through effort. It is secured through covenant love. Remember Romans Romans 5:8 We are loved because Messiah has given Himself for us. We are secure because Messiah is faithful in our place. We are part of a Divine love story written not in ink, but in blood - the blood of Messiah - GOD Himself. Our Heavenly Father is the covenant keeping GOD. He is always steady, always trustworthy and always faithful. In a world of broken promises we have The Eternal Promise Keeper as our Heavenly Father. His love is never sentimental but is always sacrifical. The new covenant was cut not in the blood of animals but in the blood of Christ. Hosea experienced something lf GOD's own sacrifical love by pouring out unconditional love on a woman who consistently rejected his love and actively purseued other lovers. Our relationship with The LORD GOD is not built on emotions or performance, but is securely and eternally anchored in a bond that GOD Himself can never ever break, because He is Integrity itself. GOD has remained faithful to Israel and He will remain faithful to His Church. Thanks be to GOD for his love - ahabh and for His steadfast loving kindness and mercy - chesed. Shalom shalom