The Old Testament book of Hosea tells of the marriage of Hosea, a prophet of God, to Gomer, a prostitute of Israel. In Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers retells this story from the perspective of Gomer (known as Angel in the book). Rivers' story is set in 1850s during the California Gold Rush, where men are seeking wealth and pleasure. Even before Angel is sold into child prostitution, her tragic early childhood taught her not to trust men. In this merciless milieu she is forced to bury her soul and sell her body for food and shelter. One day Micheal Hosea, a prayerful Christian man, notices Angel and following God's instruction sets out to bring her home as his wife. Despite being rejected again and again, Micheal perseveres. Only when Angel is beaten to near death does she agree to go with him. At home with Micheal, Angel fights not to give her heart away to her new husband; her old life still controls her; she is untrusting and unable accept Micheal's selfless love. When Angel begins to soften and fall for her husband, she is filled with self doubt. Feeling unworthy of someone as righteous as Micheal, she runs away back to the only life she knows. He goes after her and brings her back home, only for her to run away again and again...
In the biblical story of Hosea, God's chosen nation, Israel (represented by Gomer) repeatedly prostitutes herself before idols. God (represented by Hosea), faithfully loves his chosen nation, forgiving her and restoring her. Redeeming Love follows this allegory in a deeply personal way, exposing Angel's false gods and hardened heart, and expounding God's love and forgiveness through her husband: Micheal's unwavering love is there for Angel, no matter her promiscuous past, or how many times she tries to return there. This story touched me so deeply that I cried several times throughout the book, deeply moved by the realisation of God's patient, forgiving, steadfast love for us.
I think that most of us would on some level be able to relate to Angel, her wounds and false idols that keep her running away from her husband: issues such as pride, control, wealth, relationships, forgiveness, fear and shame. Redeeming Love provides a vivid illustration of how these things can keep us from giving our hearts over to God.
Not only is this book a metaphor of God's redeeming love for his people, it is also a wonderful description of the love of a husband for his wife. Emulating God's love, Micheal's love for Angel is patient, kind, selfless, forgiving, hoping and persevering. In reading this book I was humbled to see the beauty of God's love, and filled with praise and thankfulness to God for showing this love to us.
In the biblical story of Hosea, God's chosen nation, Israel (represented by Gomer) repeatedly prostitutes herself before idols. God (represented by Hosea), faithfully loves his chosen nation, forgiving her and restoring her. Redeeming Love follows this allegory in a deeply personal way, exposing Angel's false gods and hardened heart, and expounding God's love and forgiveness through her husband: Micheal's unwavering love is there for Angel, no matter her promiscuous past, or how many times she tries to return there. This story touched me so deeply that I cried several times throughout the book, deeply moved by the realisation of God's patient, forgiving, steadfast love for us.
I think that most of us would on some level be able to relate to Angel, her wounds and false idols that keep her running away from her husband: issues such as pride, control, wealth, relationships, forgiveness, fear and shame. Redeeming Love provides a vivid illustration of how these things can keep us from giving our hearts over to God.
Not only is this book a metaphor of God's redeeming love for his people, it is also a wonderful description of the love of a husband for his wife. Emulating God's love, Micheal's love for Angel is patient, kind, selfless, forgiving, hoping and persevering. In reading this book I was humbled to see the beauty of God's love, and filled with praise and thankfulness to God for showing this love to us.
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