We all like simple stories especially when we deal with biblical anecdotes that we expect to gain knowledge from and spiritual guidance. We consider our time too value to have to read chapters several times to understand.

If you have that mindset, don’t try to read the Book of Hosea.

The period is the 8th century BC and, typically, it was dark and melancholic as the Northern Kingdom of Israel declines and then falls. Marriage becomes a casual institution and adultery is commonplace. According to scholars, the times represent the relationship between God and the people of Israel.

The Book of Hosea can be startling to a layperson. First Hosea is directed by God to marry a prostitute. Not exactly what you would expect the Lord to suggest let alone order. But the Lord’s decisions usually aren’t understood by humans. In this case, the marriage that God is seeking is symbolic of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. Humans have a difficulty comprehending such prophesy. Israel has been unfaithful to God by following others Gods such as Baal and breaking the Lord’s commandments which are the terms of the covenant. Thus, Israel in God’s eyes symbolizes a harlot who violates her marriage vows.

Hosea and his prostitute wife Gomer have a son who God orders will be called Jezreel. The son was to represent a prophesy against the reigning power of Northern Kingdom. The name Jezreel means God sows and the interpretation is that the Northern Kingdom would pay for the bloodshed that it brought on the country.

The trouble is how do people interpret what they read? Can they understand how the Lord plays with analogies, similes, anecdotes, hyperbole, alliteration and metaphors among the many tools of communication He uses to convey the messages he hides in prophesies? Transparency isn’t a strength in such biblical passages. It’s one reason why going to church is important; you need to hear learned people explain and answer your questions. Few online sites and laypersons can fully define what the Hebrew Bible says.

In a day when speaking directly is admired, language of the past is extremely complicated. For example, why were Hosea and Gomer singled out? Scholars say that’s not the point. The Bible shows us what the Lord wants us to see. God is telling us to sow yourself righteousness and reap the fruit of unfailing love. God’s mercy is still a possibility. Break up your unplowed ground if you turn about and begin diligently to serve Him. For it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake His way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on him and to our God for he will freely pardon (Isa 55:6,7).

The Lord lets you see that transgressions are not treated lightly and forgiveness is the only way back to the life He wants you to lead. Listen to the Lord’s words about our personal and professional lives.

“Bad is the man who neglects to cultivate his farm, but what shall be said of the sluggard who fails to cultivate himself? If it be wrong to leave untended a part of our estate, how much worse it must be to disregard a portion of ourselves! Now there is a part of our nature which many allow to lie fallow. It is not often that they neglect the clay soil of their outward frame. . . . There is another field in man’s self-farm. The soil where true religion should flourish in the furrows is left by many to produce the deadly nightshade of superstition, the hemlock of error, or the thistle of doubt. Your hearts, your innermost natures, have been neglected and from the finest part of your being the Lord has derived neither rent not revenue. Your best acres lie fallow ---fallow when you have good need to cultivate every inch of the ground.”

The meaning isn’t easy yet it follows Jesus’ constant effort to help us realize that our actions have consequences. More important, he recognizes we stumble . . . but we have to find our way back. He gives us choices . . . not answers.

What happens to a fallow field? It becomes caked and baked hard as thought it were a brick. All the fragile qualities seem to depart and it hardens as it cakes and remains unbroken and crust. Consequently, the Lord says fallow fields need to be broken up and yes, it is very hard work. Yet it must be done.

There is a quality in the response that says hard work, diligent effort and faith will bring answers if you listen and follow the Lord’s wishes. There is also a warning that to do otherwise . . . will court your own personal and spiritual failure.

If you have comments write me at jbehrens@roadrunner.com.