Heaven’s Heartbreak

Let us not be the cause of God’s Heartbreak

The story of Hosea and his heartbreak is one of the most insightful in the Bible. Hosea married Gomer. To this marriage three children were born: Jezreel (the Lord sows or scatters), Loruhamah (no mercy), and Loammi (not my people). This marriage was used as a symbolic representation of God’s relationship to Israel.

Sometime after the birth of their third child Hosea’s wife left him for other men. Though he suffered heartbreak, Hosea still loved her. He searched for his wife, found her, and brought her back.

There was never any doubt that Hosea loved Gomer. To see his wife turn to a life of adultery and prostitution must have broken the prophet’s heart. Yet, Hosea still loved her and when she had lost her appeal to other men, he took her back into his home and loved her anew. Israel, like Gomer, had played the part of a prostitute. Over and over again Israel had broken God’s heart by embracing the gods of her neighbors. Still, God loved her and would take her back, if only she would return to Him.

How could Israel be so unfaithful and cause such heartbreak? What would lead them to deliberately break God’s heart? The prophet provides some answers to our questions.

First, they were ignorant of God’s will (Hosea 4:1, 6; 8:12). God had written unto them the great things of His law, but they ignored them. Thus, they were destroyed for lack of knowledge. We cannot please God if we do not know His will, and we cannot know His will if we will not spend time with His word!

Second, their hearts were filled with pride (Hosea 5:5; 7:10). They didn’t need God. They could go it alone. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Isn’t it sad that many never acknowledge their need for God until life tumbles in around them? How God’s heart must ache to see His people so full of pride they no longer feel they need Him.

Third, worldliness had crept in (Hosea 7:8). Whether we are willing to admit it or not, the world has a strong attraction. When we give in to the demands of the world it breaks the heart of God. Christians are called to live distinctive lives of service and not to conform to the world (Romans 12:1-2).

We can do nothing which would cause God to stop loving us, but there are many things we may do or fail to do which will break His heart. Let us strive every day not to let that happen.