Unforgiveable Forgiven

In the Book of Hosea we read where God tells his prophet to marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, which he did.  She repaid his faithfulness by running after other men and even selling herself as a prostitute.

The Lord then tells Hosea to go buy her back and embrace her as his wife again.  Again he obeys the Lord, pays 15 shekels and brings her home to once again be his wife.  No repentance, no asking for forgiveness, nothing to suggest that she has changed.

And yet, as unforgivable as the actions of Gomer were, Hosea is called upon to forgive her.  Why?  Why would God ask Hosea to do such a thing and forgive the unforgivable?  Why?  Because this is the way of God: "Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes" (Hos 3:1).

God is the God of second chances despite the fact that we do not deserve another chance as we have turned again and again away from the Lord, choosing pridefully to go our own way, be our own god.  Why should He forgive us time after time, knowing we will choose to sin again?  Because that is the way of God.

It is not only His way, it is the only way.  Without forgiveness of the unforgivable, there is no hope.  And, unless we practice this same forgiveness, God is not predisposed to extend it to us: "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matt 6:14-15).

Forgiveness was not meant to be easy or Jesus would never have had to go to the cross.  But forgiveness is Godly and to be a disciple of Jesus and a child of God means that we choose to be Godly not choose the easy or prideful path.  Jus' Say'n.