Contemporary Reading

Hosea
the prophet:
a love story
that works only one way

Hosea
the prophet
loved his wife Gomar
and so his message
was embodied his life

for Hosea
the prophet
who married Gomar
married a prostitute

Undeserving of his love
he offered it anyway
and generously
she gave him children
but none were his own
yet he loved them as his own

Hosea
the prophet
never forsook his wife
though she forsook him
returning to her ancient profession
his heart ached
his neighbours laughed
but his love would not let him do it

Soon Gomar
the prostitute
was destitute
put up for sale as a slave

Hosea
the prophet
bought back his wife
and for 15 shekels and some barley
brought her home

Yet still she turned from him
fell back into her oldest ways
but Hosea
the prophet
would not walk away
his heart would not let him do it

And by the unfolding career of his life
his message was made clear
a wayward nation
prostituting herself
to her neighbours beliefs
broke the divine heart
yet such a heart
never turned from her

for God
the lover
could not bring such a heart
to do it