Hosea’s marriage was a nightmare. His wife, Gomer, had other men’s children and had numerous affairs, leaving her husband with a broken heart. But Hosea would not turn his back on her. He still loved her and cared for her and was always there for her when she had enough of her immorality. His heart was broken, but his love was steadfast. She was forgiven but it would be naïve to think her episodes of betrayal would be without consequence in the relationship. This might be the focus in Hosea 7:2. God speaks of his unfaithful people and although he stands ready to forgive them he says, “But they do not consider that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds surround them; they are before my face.”
Moses himself felt the consequences of his sin when he struck the rock rather than speak to it and it brought consequences that became irreversible in his life. Unfaithfulness in marriage is a difficult thing to get over. Actually, I don’t suppose it’s ever completely forgotten. It may be forgiven, but will usually hang around to mar the relationship in various ways.
Paul often refers to the field of athletics to illustrate his points. If an Olympic champion runner should damage a major muscle, it will always heal leaving a weakness. He might still be an excellent athlete but there is a sense of permanent damage that will hinder his efforts to excel. Sin also might disqualify a believer from the kind of purpose that God had originally intended for him. Ogilvie observes, “This is frightening—and God means it to be so—to warn us to beware, and at all costs guard and battle against sin.”
Chuck
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11