Text: Hosea 1:1-11, 3:1-5 – In the Old Testament, sometimes God’s messages to His prophets are clear.  And sometimes they make us scratch our heads.  So, when God tells Hosea to go marry an adulterous woman, we might find that odd.  This adulterous woman, who also indulges in prostitution, ends up leaving Hosea.  Hosea is then called to buy her back, bring her home, and love her.  To buy back, is a way we can define redemption.  The relationship of Hosea and his wife was a picture of the relationship of God and the people of Israel, and it’s also a picture of us.  God is the one who loves us and we cheat on Him.  God is the one who redeems us with the precious life of Christ, and who makes us His people by His grace.