The Preacher And The Prostitute

TITLE: THE PREACHER AND THE PROSTITUTE

SCRIPTURE: HOSEA 1:2-3

Hosea was a young preacher in the nation of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, and he was a contemporary of the prophets ISAIAH and AMOS. He lived, as we are told in the first verse, during the reigns of UZZIAH – JOTHAM – AHAZ - HEZEKIAH (kings of Judah, the Southern Kingdom), and during the reign of JEROBOAM, the son of JOASH, the king of Israel.

Jeroboam was one of the wicked kings of Israel and the nation was going through a difficult time when Hosea was preaching. People were “living it up” as we might say, and didn’t have much time for God. They wouldn’t have said that, of course, because nobody ever says that when it’s true!

• The people were busy doing other things

• Did not have time for God

• The spirit was willing but the flesh was ready for the weekend

So God commissions this Young Preacher. It is important that I take a few minutes to introduce us to this Young Minister, for those of you that have not had the pleasure of meeting this Young Preacher by studying the pages of the Old Testament. Hosea was his name and preaching was his game! God called Hosea to be a herald—that is, a prophet who proclaims God’s Word. He did this in the northern kingdom of Israel from the years 750-725 B.C. Just as the young preacher was beginning his prophetic ministry, God came to him and said –

• Hosea, beside every great preacher stands a great preacher’s wife!

• So Hosea decides to go down to the local Bible College and find himself a preacher’s wife

Things were no different then, than they are today. Young preachers typically don’t need any extra encouragement to find a wife. So Hosea puts on his clergy collar, his favorite pair of Stacey Adams - rushed to the local seminary, sits in the Lobby, the commons and gazed out over a sea of suitable young SHEPHERDESSES. They all had long hair tied up in buns; their modest ankle length denim skirts complemented the purity of the glow of golden halos hovering above their heads.

• They were all triple majors

• Bibles under their arms

• Piano playing

• Choir singing

• Bible Quoting

• Sunday school teaching Sisters

Hosea’s heart began to pound as he pondered the possibilities, but each time he pointed, Maybe that one that sings so beautifully, we can marry and she can sing in the choir – Maybe that one with the pretty hair who is playing the Piano, we can marry and she can be our musician - Oh, Lord, maybe that one by the bookshelf, she is so pretty and intelligent, we can marry and she can be the announcement clerk - God said, “No not that one.” He went through every girl in the commons, but God did not give his approval.

• Then God says Hosea, I want you to look across the street

• God drew his attention to the other side of the street

• There stood a woman who obviously wasn’t a Bible college student

• She had short black hair with purple highlights

• Her short leather skirt complemented the promiscuous pumps on her feet

• And the immoral mascara around her eyes

• The Bright Red Lipstick was a little much

• The Clip on Nails were way too long

• Yes Hosea, that one right there with the Fish Net Stockings

• She wasn’t a piano player, choir singer, nor a Sunday school teacher

• Let’s just say, “She had some other talents”

• And she was just looking to use them

• Hosea, says, I see her God

• She must have a sister attending the Bible College

• No Hosea, and then God said, “That’s the one I want you to marry!

As if her profession wasn’t bad enough, her name was “GOMER.” How was Hosea going to preach God’s Holy Word with a harlot named Gomer sitting in the First Lady’s chair? I’m sure Hosea had some questions too—

• Why would a Holy God ordain an unholy union between a preacher and a prostitute?

• What does Piety have in common with Promiscuity?

• Why a Herald and a Hooker?

• What sense does it make for a Holy Man to hook up with a Hootchie Mama?

• And all God said was - “You’ll see!”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God, prior to stepping into our lives and turning it upside down would take the time to explain it all to us. When we hit those tough patches in our lives, is it just me or do you also wonder why God does not stop and tell us what He is doing in our lives. I can relate to Hosea, when things were rocky in my life, all I hear God say during those times…God’s only response to me – YOU’LL SEE.