Lots of tasty treats turn my head. I’ll eat ice cream anytime it’s available (multiple times a day preferably). My wife’s chocolate chip cookies prove irresistible. I enjoy cakes, cinnamon rolls, candy of all sorts and sweet tea. If it’s got sugar in it, then I’ll go out of my way to get me some.

The children of Israel chased after gods they found sweeter than the Lord. To point out their failings, God commanded the prophet Hosea to take an adulteress as his wife: And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.”

Apparently delicious, I’d love to try one of those raisin cakes. But sweet delicacies masked the nature of hearts far from the Lord. The more damning reality is how the children of Israel installed other gods upon their alters and bowed before them.

God sent them a message. Despite their idolatry and materialism, God proclaimed his love. Hosea loved a wayward woman, just as God loved his wayward people. His prophet’s unorthodox relationship meant to shock the people into recognizing this truth.

I often hear how the God of the Old Testament harshly judged people. But here I read how God loved those who rejected him. Even as God disciplined Israel and Judah, he never stopped loving them. Their obstinate and rebellious hearts failed to blunt God’s love.

God is love in his very nature. Even as I go off path and chase after cakes of raisins, God’s love remains. The Lord loved these self-willed ancient people and wonderfully, he loves you and me still today.

Hosea 3:1-3

Photo by Yulia Khlebnikova