Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: Revell
Pages: 432
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2169-5
Synopsis:
An epic journey of intimacy, rejection, betrayal . . . and hope
God gives Hosea a difficult command—marry a prostitute in order to show God’s people the nature and depth of His love for Israel. When Hosea goes to Israel to proclaim the Lord’s message, the woman God directs him to marry turns out to be his childhood friend Gomer. He finds her broken and abused, unwilling to trust Hosea or his God. But when marrying Hosea becomes her only means of escape, Gomer does what she’s good at—she survives. Can Hosea’s love for God and God’s love for Israel restore Gomer’s broken spirit?
With her powerful combination of in-depth research and masterful storytelling, Mesu Andrews brings to life one of the most complex and fascinating stories of love and forgiveness in the face of utter betrayal.
Review:
Before I get into the meat of the review, let me say first off, I didn't know a whole lot about the story of Gomer and Hosea. I only knew that Hosea was a profit who was called to marry a harlot. In that act and in the marriage, Hosea was demonstrating the love God has for his people. That's all I knew about the story up until a few years ago, when I read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, it was a western take on Gomer and Hosea. It expanded the idea I had, but I still didn't have a full grasp of it.
Mesu Andrews has taken these verses from the Bible and weaved a beautiful story out of it. She broke down the verses in each chapter, they led you into each section and it gave a new light and depth to this prophets story. The pain, suffering, and the light of hope shine through with these characters.
Gomer has only known pain, rejection, and abuse from every man in her life. There was no point to hope, only to close her heart. Hosea, led by God, was brought back to his childhood friend, only to find that she is the prostitute God wants him to marry. He doesn't question, only goes forward with what he is instructed, however, he finds that Gomer is not the little girl he remembers. Bitterness and anger fill her and the closeness he hopes for seems almost unattainable. Every time he follows his instructions from God, it pushes Gomer further away, whether it is just in coldness to Hosea or even into the arms of other men and back to her original trade. In everything, Hosea offers what he can, love and forgiveness.
Love In A Broken Vessel is a beautifully written story. It shows the vastness of Gods unfailing love and forgiveness. No matter how stubborn or angry, there He is.
Too Read!
5 out of 5
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