The LORD said to me, "Go again and show your love for a woman who is committing adultery with a lover. You must love her just as I still love the people of Israel, even though they turn to other gods and like to take offerings of raisins to idols."

So I paid fifteen pieces of silver and seven bushels of barley to buy her. I told her that for a long time she would have to wait for me without being a prostitute or committing adultery; and during this time I would wait for her. In just this way the people of Israel will have to live for a long time without kings or leaders, without sacrifices or sacred stone pillars, without idols or images to use for divination. But the time will come when the people of Israel will once again turn to the LORD their God and to a descendant of David their king. Then they will fear the LORD and will receive his good gifts.

Hosea 3:1-5

Unconditional love – how refreshing to see it in action. Unconditional love is what the prophet Hosea showed toward his wife, who had left him and lived as a prostitute. That is how God’s love is. He loved and still loves Israel, in spite of their unfaithfulness to Him. One day they will return to Him and receive all the blessings reserved only for them.

God loves his children not because of who they are

but because of who He is.

Our Daily Bread – August 27, 2002