What's new
By:
Filters
Christian Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Growth I've Come To Take You Home

Mike S

Mike S

Member
I've always liked the Book of Hosea. It's an allegory, which includes a metaphor we're familiar with; a covenant entered into, then broken, by an unfaithful people, and the promise of redemption through repentance. Hosea is married to Gomer, an unfaithful wife and mother, an unrepentant lover of earthy sins. Hosea's pain and agony is heartbreaking, as he loves Gomer despite her rejection of him, and wants her to return to her loving family if only she will repent her sinful life. He does not forsake his wife, his mercy and willingness to forgive unlimited. This is metaphor for the relationship of Yahweh and Israel, and, by extension through the new covenant, Christ's relationship with us.

God knows we are sinful creatures who are seduced by false gods of pleasure, power, money. But, God's mercy endures forever, He is always here to take us home.


"Now I've stood in that same place, bound by sin, a broken slave
From the depths of my despair I've prayed for mercy
I heard His word, the price was paid, on the cross for you that day
Take My hand now child and welcome to the family"

"I've come to take you home, I know that you've done wrong
But for you I gave My life
Through the sorrow pain and strife, I could not let you go
Let's leave the past behind
Love conquers one more time
He took my hand and said, there's a new day just ahead
I've come to take you home."


 
allegory? shoot, that is what God wanted for isreal. he did tell hosea to marry homer and used that to show the nations of isreal and Judea that he wanted them to return.
 
jasonc said:
allegory? shoot, that is what God wanted for isreal. he did tell hosea to marry homer and used that to show the nations of isreal and Judea that he wanted them to return.
Click to expand...

Yes, the Book of Hosea is an allegory including the marriage story of Hosea and Gomer, which is a metaphor for the relationship between God and His unfaithful people.
 
Mike S said:
Yes, the Book of Hosea is an allegory including the marriage story of Hosea and Gomer, which is a metaphor for the relationship between God and His unfaithful people.
Click to expand...
odd, the jews don't call that emshell. they call that one a real story with a message behind it. paul mentions on allegory and even that is really would be the word emshell as those can be a real life story or a parable. the account of moses giving the torah and starting with Abraham. was Abraham not a real person? yes, did that happen yes!
 
Oh, you're thinking that an allegorical story has to be fictional, it doesn't. A real historical event such as the marriage of Hosea and Gomer can have an allegorical interpretation. A story can be both historical and allegorical, having a literal understanding, and also a broader, more universal, message. It's why we Methodists sometimes say the biblical message isn't just IN the words, it frequently is BEHIND the words.
 
Mike S said:
Oh, you're thinking that an allegorical story has to be fictional, it doesn't. A real historical event such as the marriage of Hosea and Gomer can have an allegorical interpretation. A story can be both historical and allegorical, having a literal understanding, and also a broader, more universal, message. It's why we Methodists sometimes say the biblical message isn't just IN the words, it frequently is BEHIND the words.
Click to expand...
ok, I thought that is what you were saying but I wasnted to be sure. and the jews said that first. its in the Talmud.
 
If God wants our lives to be so comfortable here on earth why did he instruct one of his prophets to marry a prostitute and give their children such strange names? We have the western comfort gospel here in the United States, but is that the way God wants it to be?
 
Sandy Zalecki said:
If God wants our lives to be so comfortable here on earth why did he instruct one of his prophets to marry a prostitute and give their children such strange names? We have the western comfort gospel here in the United States, but is that the way God wants it to be?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean by comfortable lives?

But the Gospel is just for that purpose, to give comfort. It's the Good News.
 
I mean are we supposed to live in big houses and have big cars and never put our faith on the line for Christ. That is what the "name it and claim it" people tell us. Hosea, I'm sure, was not comfortable in his situation. Are we supposed to be comfortable or live our lives with restless abandoned for the Lord no matter what the consequences?
 
Sandy Zalecki said:
I mean are we supposed to live in big houses and have big cars and never put our faith on the line for Christ. That is what the "name it and claim it" people tell us. Hosea, I'm sure, was not comfortable in his situation. Are we supposed to be comfortable or live our lives with restless abandoned for the Lord no matter what the consequences?
Click to expand...

Many people who have much, big car and big houses, are not comfortable in their lives, many are very unhappy people and they need to Lord.
I don't begrudge any believer who the Lord has richly blessed in materials things as long as they do not prey on believers by taking the word of God and twist it to say something it doesn't.
I do believe that those who have more should give more, per scripture.
I love this particular scripture that John wrote to his friend Gaius and pray it to those that I see are truly doing their best for God. I believe this is if anything what is true about prosperity in God's word.
Notice the last phrase,

3Jn 1:1 The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

In the same measure that thy soul prospers. This is my answer to the prosperity teachings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top