The prophet Hosea is most commonly known as the prophet God commanded to marry an unfaithful woman and remain faithful to her. When her adultery led to her enslavement, Hosea was to redeem her from her slavery. Hosea’s marriage and family life was an illustration of God’s relationship with Israel. It was the foundation of his ministry.

However, there is much more to this book of prophecy than Hosea’s family life. God used Hosea for a time of approximately forty years to prophesy primarily to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, whom Hosea often refers to as Ephraim. He condemns Ephraim for their violation of the faithfulness to God and His Law, as illustrated by Hosea’s family relationship. He condemns their practices of idolatry and cult prostitution. He notes that the nation has failed to trust in God, but have instead turned to human devices and were not even considering turning to God. Finally, Hosea says that Ephraim was guilty of injustice and violence among themselves. Murder, theft, lying, and oppression of the defenseless are specifically mentioned. Hosea called the nation to repent and return to God, but he also warned of the coming judgment of exile. He also promised that God would bring them back from the exile.

In Hosea chapter 10, Hosea refers to Israel as a vine that yields fruit for itself. The more fruit the vine produces, the greater its idolatry. When I read this, I think of Jesus’s parable in Luke 16. In verse 10, Jesus says, “Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much” (CSB). The nation of Israel was unfaithful in little. The more material wealth it gained, the more unfaithful it became. There is a saying that if you want to see where a man’s heart is, look at his checkbook. I was forced to think, “Am I faithful in my finances?” Does my bank statement reflect a heart for God?

My challenge to you: Does your bank statement reflect a love for God above everything else? What are some ways you can use your finances to serve God? Are you being faithful to God in all things or are you using your material wealth to set up altars to lesser things?