Hosea 1:2—How could a holy God who condemns harlotry command Hosea to marry a harlot?
Hosea 1:2 2When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD."
Hosea 1:2
ESV - 2 When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, "Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.
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Asked September 10 2019
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Jack Gutknecht
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For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Danny Hickman
"Condemns harlotry." I don't know that God condemns harlotry, specifically. Harlotry is a common sin, it isn't a flagrant foul. Harlotry is a "side out" infraction. No foul shots are due...
I also wouldn't say that God "commanded" Hosea to marry a harlot. I think he simply "told" him to illustrate the idolatry of the people by marrying an unfaithful woman. Hosea was in service to God as a prophet. His life didn't mean as much to him as God's glory and purpose meant to him. We need more Hoseas today...
I don't think 5 year old little girls plan to grow up and become prostitutes. I know for sure that God knows that. I think He sees prostitutes very differently than the average person does.