At St John's we're currently in the middle of a series looking at the prophet Hosea. Like many prophets in the Bible, his message included warnings about dire consequences just ahead if people wander away from
what they know to be right. Many of these came to pass, and the phrase "reap the whirlwind" comes
originally from Hosea's book. If this message were a movie or TV programme, there would be ominous music playing building up to a tragic event.

Interestingly, Hosea's message to the Israelites is mirrored by his own experience with his wife Gomer. She is unfaithful to him in a way that is symbolic of the Israelites being unfaithful to God and chasing after other gods.

But wonderfully, Hosea does not give up on Gomer, and he welcomes her back into a restored, loving relationship with him. We could summarise this in just three words as 'loving the unlovely'. I am so glad that God is like that. It means there’s hope for me, an you, and anyone who responds positively to God.