Chasing After You

“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” (Revelation 17:1-2)

Revelation 17 tells the story of a prostitute. Not a specific prostitute, but more of a figurative one. But why would that be in the Bible? Well, it is not the first time the Bible talks about a prostitute. The Bible actually talks about one in the book of Hosea. In fact, God wanted Hosea to marry a prostitute.

Wait, what? God wanted one of his followers, to marry a prostitute? That’s right. He even had to chase after her, and buy her back. She left and ran off, and Hosea had to go buy her back so that she would not have to do that type of work any longer. But why would God do this? And why is this story in the Bible?

Because the story is an example of God’s love. I am the prostitute. You are the prostitute. We might not be sexually unfaithful to our husband or wife. But spiritually we are unfaithful to God. He loves us, and sent Jesus to die for us. He ran after us knowing what we have done. And yet when we sin (again and again) we are unfaithful, running from Him. And then He has to “buy us back” again.

The love Hosea had for this woman does not even compare to the love God has for you and I. No matter what we have done or will do, He is chasing after you. We have made bad decisions that are spiritually running from God. But He never stops chasing. What love He has for us to never stop chasing us. So many depict God as this vicious judge and jury ready to lay down the law on you. But the next time you mess up and need to turn back, remember, He is already chasing after you. Run to His arms!