Is Hosea a False Prophet? He Married a Prostitute!

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Now, you might wonder, “Is Hosea a false prophet?” Which is a question that we can help answer.

Joseph Descans, author of Hosea: The Prophet Who Married a Prostitute, understands how controversial this Hosea’s story is. However, aside from the controversy behind it, Hosea’s tale (both in Joseph’s book and in the Bible) tells a unique narrative. We’ll try not to spoil anything for you, but we will be taking a bit of an in-depth look at this matter.

With that said, let’s find out whether Hosea’s title as a prophet is warranted.

Why Did Hosea Ended Up Marrying a Prostitute?

If you weren’t aware, it was God that ordered Hosea to marry a “Wife of whoredom.” Gomer, Hosea’s wife, is labeled as such, not strictly due to the fact that she is a prostitute. It’s rather because Gomer is depicted as a sexually promiscuous woman.

Here’s a direct line from Hosea 3:1:

“Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.”

As you can read from the Bible, God’s order was clear, and Hosea, having tremendous faith, followed His orders without fail.

What Happens in Hosea and Gomer’s Story?

Two theme divisions can be found in the Book of Hosea. Two stories exist, one about God and Israel and the other about Gomer, Hosea, and their offspring. These are tales of covenantal partnerships that are broken before being repaired.

God established a covenant with Israel, pledging to bless and guard them in exchange for their allegiance to the one true God. The purpose of marriage is to establish a lifetime commitment of faithfulness and mutual support in the relationship between a man and a woman. Hosea knew that Gomer would commit adultery, but he married her nevertheless, under the Lord’s direction. The marriage would symbolize the bond between God and His chosen ones.

The first thing the Lord instructed Hosea when He spoke through him was, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord” (Hosea 1:2). By providing this example, God intended for Israel to realize the magnitude of their transgressions.

So Does This Mean That Hosea Is Indeed a False Prophet?

Anyone hearing this would instantly think, “Is Hosea a false prophet? He did marry himself a prostitute, of all things!” However, we must always remember that Hosea’s decision was already made for him. The moment God ordered Hosea to marry a prostitute or a notoriously promiscuous woman, he knew he had to.

Joseph Descans’s book even opens up with Hosea knowing full well that he had to do what he was about to do, no matter how dreadful. Here’s an excerpt:

“A shroud of subdued surrender enveloped Hosea as he gazed at the telephone on the desk before him. With glazed and bloodshot eyes, he cut the silent stillness by reaching out and picking up the receiver. After many sleepless days of lamentation, he had finally broken down to a place of resolve to initiate the first act, which would change his life forever in a direction that he could only dread, but it would be an act of obedience to God.”

Can We Consider Hosea’s Story Still Relevant in Today’s Time?

Even though the Book of Hosea contains prophecies that occurred centuries ago, there is still value for modern Christians to learn from them. Hosea endured personal harm and humiliation at the hands of a close relative. But, he obeyed the Lord and had the fortitude to forgive his spouse, knowing that these trials would come.

One of the most difficult actions a sinful man can do is forgive. It additionally serves as a lesson on obedience to God since believers are occasionally called to complex assignments or significant sacrifices. Lastly, it is a reminder of God’s forgiveness and love. God was just as compassionate and merciful with Israel throughout the Old Testament as He is with humanity today.

We thank you for spending time with us as we discuss and answer the question, “Is Hosea a false prophet?” For more stuff related to Hosea and a more modern take on his story, grab a copy of Joseph Descans’s book today. Hosea: The Prophet Who Married a Prostitute will certainly not disappoint you.

Check out our other articles and discover what is the role of the fish in the novel!