Intercede on Behalf of Others

Photo by Elliott Brown

Scripture: Hosea 3:2

So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a half of barley.

Insights: We find in today’s verse the extent to which Gomer found herself trapped by her choices.  To fully grasp we need to go back to chapter two.  In the second chapter we find Hosea is taking provisions to Gomer, but her false lovers are opening the door.  They take the provisions and go back to Gomer and take credit for all Hosea has given.  When the false lover has gotten tired of Gomer he takes her and sells her on the slave market.  Then we get to this chapter and we find the Lord instructing Hosea to go and purchase her back.  It is for this reason, again back in chapter two, that Hosea tells her that she will no longer call him master, but rather husband.  He is her master because he has purchased her from these slave owners as indicated here in the second verse.  Hosea, however, does not want to be her master, but her husband.  He intercedes on her behalf with his payment of her slave price.  Jesus does the very same thing for us.  He paid our slave price of sin on the Cross of Calvary.  All we have to do is receive His gift of sacrifice and we will receive eternal life in Him.  After we belong to Him, however, we are to be minsters of reconciliation.  We are to tell the world about Jesus because we have been commissioned by Him.  Ezekiel calls us watchmen on the wall.  If we see the enemy coming and do not warn the citizens, then their blood is on our hands.  If, however, we tell them, and they refuse to listen to our warning, then their blood is on their own hands.  We are to warn the people Jesus is coming again.  He is going to take His bride, the church, home.  Those left will experience His wrath and will eventually spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.  If you will ask Him, He will give you the courage and the boldness to intercede on behalf of others.  He will show you and prompt you to the individuals He wants you to speak.  Listen to Him and obey.  Intercede on behalf of others just like Hosea did for Gomer.

Questions:

1. Do you understand your responsibility as a watchman for the Lord?

2. For whom are you interceding?

Prayer: Father, help me to see the world with Your eyes.  Help me to intercede on behalf of those who need to be introduced to Your Son, Jesus.  Amen.

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