Hosea 2 paints a beautiful picture of God’s restoration and redemptive plan for his people. His promise to remain faithful to His covenant people inspite of their consistent turning away is described in flowing detail. Personally, I love how specific God gets with the redemption of Hosea’s children:
Jezreel (“God sows”) will one day have the earth respond to him (2:22);
Lo-ruhamah (“not shown mercy”) will be shown compassion (2:23);
Lo-ammi (“not my people”) will hear God say, “You are my people” (2:23).
The prophetic story of Hosea 2 is a depiction of the faithful and sacrificial love of our God. Redemption and restoration have always been his plan. Always.
Amen.
Let’s read on because Hosea 3 made me stop and actually laugh right in verse 1!
“Then the Lord said to me, “Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and
love raisin cakes.”” (CSV)
Raisin cakes? What kind of sin or immoral act is loving raisin cakes? My husband loves Raisin Pie, and while this may be yucky to me (and many others), it certainly is not immoral!
Other versions of the Bible say, “and love the sacred raisin cakes” (NIV). The NLT says, “...even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them,” with a footnote that says, “love their raisin cakes”.
Since we are encouraged to look at these things from a Middle Eastern perspective, I thought…”What’s the big deal in the Middle East about raisin cakes?” I did some digging and it turns out that, yes, these are cakes of dried fruit, pressed together. They were eaten by the rich and wealthy, those with lucious and full vineyards. It is also likely that they had a sacred or ceremonial connection to Baal worship, something that was eaten during worship to idols.
Although cakes of raisins, or raisins in cakes, are not bad in and of themselves, the predominant thought is that this idea is being used as God’s warning to the people of Israel against becoming lured into the ways of the rich, becoming lovers of money and wealth and prominence. As well, they could turn away from worshipping the one true God and participate in the worship of idols.
God’s love remains faithful. His ways remain redemptive and true.
“Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come with awe to the Lord and to his goodness in the last days.” (3:5)
Even today, God continues to call us to Himself even though we wander away, become lured into things of the world, follow paths He has warned us not to follow, and indulge in the things He has told us to avoid.
Even today, God is loving and faithful, guiding us, directing us, giving us wisdom and courage along the way. Raisin cakes may not be your temptation. Cakes of pressed fruit may not be what pulls you away from Jesus. Chances are, those things are not coming in between you and God. However, something else most likely stands in its place. Something else probably exists in your life that could pull you off course, cause you to look the other way, and make you turn away from the Truth. Do you know what that is? Maybe spend some time with God ponder that question.
Hosea's warning - God's warning - is clear: don't do it.
But the promise is also clear: God loves you, desires for you to live life to the full, and He will do anything, even send His son to die on a cross, for you.
Yes, you.
You are that loved, dear friend. You are that loved.
💜
**for more on raisin cakes in the Bible visit:
