FAMILY AND MARRIAGE -3

*Study scripture*

*Hosea 3:1*
_Then the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman [who is] loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love [the] raisin cakes [of the pagans.]”_

*FAMILY AND MARRIAGE -3*
(Dealing with Infidelity in marriage)

The Dictionary meaning of the Word ” *Infidelity* ” is ” _the action or state of being unfaithful to a spouse or other sexual partner_ “. God forbid but It’s one of the most painful things you could ever do to your spouse and it’s a major cause of many marriages and families failing today and yet all this can be avoided by allowing God ( *The Word, John 1:1* ) work in you both to will and to do according to His good pleasure ( *Philippians 2;13* ). These things will always happen when we let our guard down and let another spirit work in us that’s not of God

Our theme scripture is taken from The book of the Prophet Hosea and he was instructed by God to marry a Harlot and he choose one called Gomer ( *Chapter 1 of Hosea* ). Later in *(Chapter 3)* where our theme Scripture is got from we see God ask Hosea to get back his wife Gomer, the lover of other men and the scripture seems to imply that even after her marriage to Hosea she still committed adultery (infidelity), and was at some point taken away and Hosea had to buy his wife back as would a sex slave.

This was God trying to show Israel the extent of their sin and idolatry. God had just delivered them from Egypt and entered a covenant with them on the Mount Sinai ( *Exodus 19-24* ) but they turned from the lord, their husband and served the god’s of other nations thus playing the Harlot (not keeping the lord’s commands); commiting a form of Infidelity. God though angry and dismayed, uses this picture of Hosea extending mercy, forgiviness and choosing to bring back his unfaithful wife Gomer home as a sign of His (God) love and ultimate plan for His relationship with unfaithful Israel. God’s best was never separation nor divorce but forgiveness, mercy and Grace. Amen

Child of God, have you been wronged by your spouse or someone you loved and hoped to enter a long term relationship with them? Bible says, _” *Be imitators of God as dear children*”_ ( *Ephesians 5:1* ) and so choose to forgive and extend mercy and grace as God did with Israel. It won’t be easy for you but it surely wasn’t easy for the Prophet Hosea with Gomer and also God with Israel who had to witness them playing the Harlot with other gods, not keeping His commands and yet He extended mercy and forgiveness. It’s the right thing to do. Ask the Holy Spirit strengthen you for it’s not us who work in ourselves and nor is it by our power but by the Spirit says the lord ( *Zechariah 4:6* ). Glory!

*FURTHER STUDY* :The book of Hosea

*PRAYER*
Father thank you for these truth you show us in your Word. We thank you for what you have taught us how to deal with Infidelity for those who have been wronged but also because you are able to keep us from falling in this sin for us who haven’t yet had an encounter with marriage or relationships for the Glory of your Name. Amen