The Lowest of the Low?

When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.” [Hosea 1.2]

God's view of idolatry is low. In fact, He sees it the same as one sees a prostitute. In most societies, prostitutes are usually considered the lowest of the low, so God's comparison of Israel to a prostitute revealed much.

What is it about a prostitute that is so detestable?

The first and foremost answer to the above question should probably be this: a prostitute is usually esteemed detestable because of the lack of commitment to a single lover. The exchange of money in the act further degrades the situation.

The two factors noted above can be summarized as this: a lack of faithfulness, and the love of money (above faithfulness).

God desires our faithfulness. He has no tolerance for sharing us.

Likewise, God desires to be our everything. As such, our love of money is a slap in His face.

There is so much more that the picture of a prostitute could mean, but these two things stand out to me as the most significant.

Father, help me to better understand the importance of faithfulness to You. Help me to likewise understand the importance of looking to You as my source and not to material possessions.