Hosea’s calling was not for the faint of heart, but then again, no calling in service of the King of Kings is. Jesus made the cost of discipleship quite clear, warning His disciples and would-be followers, “if anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). And yet, as the apostle, Paul later wrote, “and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Israel would learn, through years of trial, failure, and eventual captivity and exile, that there is no satisfaction separate from God and no love that can compare to the unshakeable love God has for His people (Romans 8:38-39).
Hosea was loyal to his God, as he was to his wife because he understood something about the heart of God. God is faithful, God is good, God is loving, and God is just; and if God is faithful, good, loving, and just, His plans for us are the same, even when they don’t make sense, aren’t fun, or aren’t easy.
“Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them.” (Hosea 14:9)