DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 19 December 2025: Peculiar Love For An Unfaithful Nation
Text: Hosea 1:1–11 (KJV)
The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
2 The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord.
3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.
4 And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel, in the valley of Jezreel.
6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
8 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
KEY VERSE: Hosea 1:7 (KJV)
“But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.”
Metaphors and parables are frequently employed in Scripture to convey profound spiritual truths and practical lessons. In today’s passage, God exposes Israel’s persistent and shameful inclination toward idolatry and unholy alliances, despite His enduring love and covenant faithfulness.
Repeatedly and defiantly, Israel entered into unequal relationships with pagan nations such as Egypt and Assyria, embracing their idolatrous practices and provoking the Lord to anger.
To illustrate this painful reality, God instructed Prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute and have children with her. This shocking command was meant to mirror Israel’s spiritual adultery and God’s unwavering love in spite of her unfaithfulness.
The names given to Hosea’s children carried strong prophetic messages: Jezreel symbolized impending judgment, Lo-Ruhama meant “not loved,” and Lo-Ammi declared “not my people.”
Even after Gomer abandoned Hosea for another man, the prophet went back to redeem her—powerfully portraying God’s redemptive love for Israel.
In the same way, believers today grieve God’s heart when they engage in unscriptural relationships with the world. Unequal yokes in marriage, business partnerships, dressing, worship, and religious practices are clearly condemned in Scripture.
God detests sin in all its forms, including sexual immorality. Many once-committed believers have fallen into painful regret by taking God’s love lightly and relying on human wisdom rather than divine instruction. The Bible warns, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
Despite Israel’s rebellion, God’s covenant love compelled Him to pursue her restoration. Likewise, God is still reaching out today to sinners and backsliders.
There is hope for all who repent and accept the salvation offered through Christ. For believers, God’s unfailing love calls for unwavering faithfulness, obedience, and commitment until the end.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
It is suicidal to take God’s love for granted.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Daily Manna 19 December 2025
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