Hosea - prophetic book about God's judgement on the Harlot - False religion
& God's view of Sex Workers
Never one to shy away from a sensitive top - today I completed reading the prophetic book of Hosea in the Old Testament.
In this short discussion I concentrate on the Bible's view and it is not intended to be a wider discursive about different types of sex workers, for that I am not qualified enough to present a view.
I have worked with former sex workers, in a support/counselling role. I have also studied the Bible with women who have previously engaged in sex work. Among my friendship group, I have known of married women who have been sex workers, some prior to their marriage. In my friendship group, I have met children of sex workers, some of whom are in millionaire families. I treat all with respect - irrespective of their birth origins. My following discussion does not make reference to anyone in my circle.
God's view of sex workers
It is unusual that a God who is the essence of HOLY, HOLY, HOLY - to command his faithful prophet to marry a woman who was a working sex worker - prostitute.
As a single, celibate since early adulthood, it seems almost unthinkable that God would choose to have such an unusual liaison in the holy scriptures.
Sex work is often called the oldest profession and there are many examples in the Bible where sex workers and former sex workers come into contact with Yahweh's prophets, a paradigm shift occurs and they end up joining God's people with the opportunity of living forever,
Yeshua made it clear - he came to save sinners - LUKE 5:23.
Often in tv shows (I do not have a tv), films, theatre productions and popular music - sex workers are not portrayed in a favourable light. Society seems to have a moralistic condemnatory view of both genders, but especially women, who engage in this profession.
Throughout the decades I have met 'closet' sex workers, normal, assertive women who have chosen to work in this industry although they may not have acknowledge it as such. Some of these women were affluent and come from stable family backgrounds, unlike myself, and have not let that 'temporary status' as a sex worker diminish their self worth.
Many women I have met have chosen to engage in sex work for various reasons, some once only, some repeatedly. Most male and female sex workers globally are forced into the industry and are horribly exploited. Globally many children are sold into slavery of all kinds and I am cognizant that this blight on society will not be eradicated until Christ's return.
Gomer - was such a woman. In the prophetic Bible book of HOSEA chapters 1-2 HOSEA - Gomer was an active sex worker when she met her partner and then married him. This arranged marriage took place at the command of the God of the universe and He allowed the parallels to be drawn between Gomer and Hosea's marriage and the unfaithfulness of his wife to that of the unfaithful nation of Israel and their God Yahweh.
Yahweh's people deserted him time and time again - despite His pleading with them to return. Eventually they did return and were redeemed.
What lessons does this teach us about Yahweh? In spite of His holiness and tender loving care for His people, they repeatedly worshipped false gods, committed temple prostitution and made idols out of silver and gold and bowed down to them. they even sacrificed they children to false gods.
Tragic behaviour for a nation that formerly so close to their loving God.
Yeshua, delighted and encouraged Martha of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus, who was a women of alleged ill repute, and whose earnings were considerable, but the source of which was speculative. Mary anointed the Messiah in preparation for his martyrdom and Yeshua praised her not condemned her for her kindness - JOHN 11:55 - 12:11.
Spiritual Harlotry- God's Judgement
How does the prophetic book of Hosea describe the future for God's people?
Yahweh condemns his own people for spiritual adultery, temple prostitution, sacrificing their children, bowing down to silver and gold idols - however like Hosea forgave his wife, a former sex worker and adulteress, Yahweh forgave his errant people.
Why is false religion described as the great harlot in the prophetic book of Revelation? False religion is called Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots - REVELATION 17:5 - because of false religions spiritual adultery with politics, its dirty deals within the commercial business industry and its appetite for luxuries and its involvement in wars and the bloodshed of the saints.
In the future false religion will be destroyed at the hands of a joint alliance of politics and the military. All will mourn the passing of false religion as can be seen in REVELATION 18 - except for God's sheep like ones, the saints and the angels in heaven - they will all rejoice.
What has been happening in China and Russia since 2018 is a big tell tell sign that the great tribulation is nearer. The destruction of churches, mosques, temples, shrines and the compulsory shutting down of religions ad the confiscating of their property, persecution by surveillance, disruption of house churches, censorship of online churches etc - are signs that the descent of false religion is near. The second coming of Christ will occur after the destruction of false religion and towards the end of the great tribulation.
Signs that Bablyon the Great's destruction is already beginning -
China
North Korea
Iran
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