Love in a Broken Vessel: A Novel

By Mesu Andrews

Description:

Hosea has been charged by God with a difficult task--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 God's message, the prostitute God tells 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 choice, Gomer does what she's good at--she survives. Can Hosea's love for God and God's love for Israel heal Gomer's broken spirit?With her potent combination of in-depth research and masterful storytelling, Mesu Andrews brings to life a complex and fascinating biblical story of the power of love and forgiveness in the face of utter betrayal.

Book Takeaway:

I want someone to turn the last page and know beyond a doubt—“I am not too broken for God to fill with His love.” I believe our relationship with God is more about BEING with Him than DOING for Him. He wants us to bask in His presence and be filled. Let Him mend the broken places, fill us with His love, and then exude His healing presence. Yes, at some point, He’ll find a perfect use for us “cracked pots” as Patsy Clairmont calls us. But I hope folks can be still long enough to read Gomer and Hosea's story--and realize the beauty of God's mended vessels.

Awards:

Why the author wrote this book:

I wrote this book because I loved Francine Rivers' timeless classic, Redeeming Love, and I wanted to know more about the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer. As I began researching the culture and historical context of Hosea and the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the prophets and kings alive during Hosea's time fascinated me. I wanted to give readers a clearer view of all that Hosea and Gomer faced in this unique challenge to which God had called them--a marriage too illustrate Israel's harlotry.