The Lodestar

Hosea ministered to the will of the Lord in the turbulent eighth century B.C. Israel had gone astray from the Lord, serving idols and being corrupt socially and morally. The prophet Hosea also faced personal struggles. His wife had abandoned him to become a sex slave. The Lord ordered him to purchase her back and remarry her; he obeyed the Lord. The flight of Gomer (the wife) and her redemption served as an acted parable to illustrate Israel’s sin and the Lord’s willingness to accept her.

The Book of Hosea closes with the Lord reminding the people that he longs for them to return to him from serving the lifeless idols so that they may have a fuller life in him.

The Lord likens himself to an “evergreen cypress” tree, symbolising life and strength. The lifeless idols cannot impart life, but the evergreen cypress tree imparts life as fruits—"from me comes your fruit.”

This is an invitation to live in a close relationship with the Lord to be effective. Eight centuries later, this resonates in Jesus’ invitation to his followers to abide in him and bear fruit: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4).

A branch cannot bear fruit unless it is part of a tree, so we cannot achieve anything without the Lord. William Wilberforce was a devoted Christian and British MP, considered an influential politician of his day. He was instrumental in passing laws against the transatlantic slave trade and abolishing the cruel practice of Sati in India. Though his voice thundered in the British Parliament for establishing justice, he was a humble man of prayer. Though powerful in the eyes of the public, he confessed that his power comes from the Lord, saying, “I am absolutely helpless in myself.”

The Lord invites us to fellowship with him, pray and meditate on his Word, and tap his energy to accomplish his purposes in this world.

Let Hosea’s story draw your heart closer to God. This week, quietly seek his presence in prayer and Scripture. Let the Lord renew your spirit and remind you that in abiding with him, you find true life and fruitfulness. From him alone comes all strength and purpose.

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