Amazing Love (2012)

[bunniefuu]

[music]

So who will
start the bidding?

No Bids?

Surely she can work
in your fields.

(Auctioneer)
Anyone?

(Auctioneer)
Anyone?

Let me see this
for a second.

Hey, I'm playing.

Alright, ladies
and gentlemen,

we've got a state-of-the-art
technological achievement

of the 21 st century.

Who'll give me
five bucks for this?

Who will give me five? Five?
Who'll give me five?

I'll give you two.

Great, we have a bidder!

I've got two, but I'm looking for five,
who will give me five?

What about you
beautiful young lady?

Well, if you
put it that way.

I'll give you five
if you don't give it back to me.

Going once.
Going twice.

Sold back to the original owner
for five dollars. Congratulations.

Next on the menu we have
Carrie's sleeping bag for $2.50...

Hello.

Miss Helen, come on in.

Well, we're here
Brother Stuart.

You got her to come?

It was a struggle
but she finally agreed.

Good, good it's going
to be a great trip, I'm so glad.

Sometimes I don't know
what to do with her.

Well, teenagers.

And just before we left her mother
called making all kinds of promises

about how she was going to come
and take her with her again.

Wow, that makes it hard.

I feel so sorry for her.

Deep down inside
she is a sweet girl.

I hope she cooperates for you.

I'm sure she will.

Ashley,
it's good to see you again,

I'm glad you're coming
camping with us.

Not my choice.

Don't you worry about a thing,
alright, Miss Helen,

we're going to take
good care of her.

Thank you.

Have fun sweetheart.

Unlikely.

Hey guys.
ready I09°?

Where are all the kids?

This is us.

But there are 30 kids
in our youth group.

30 in the youth group,
10 who signed up,

6 had to cancel at the last minute
so this is all of us.

Well, this isn't
going to be any fun.

I don't want to go
if I'm the only girl.

Well as it turns out
you're not the only girl

we actually have Ashley
coming with us.

Ashley,
you remember Carrie?

Hi.

And we have Cooper.

Call me Coop.

Steve.

And lastly
we have Gameboy.

(Stuart) And here right on time
is my beautiful wife, hi honey.

Hey.

(Stuart) Guess what?
We have Ashley coming with us.

Oh, fantastic!
Ashley good to see you, I'm Beth.

Have you been camping before?

No.

Neither have I,
but I'm sure it'll be fun.

Plus, the cabins
are supposed to have

air conditioners and whatnot.

What's he talking about,
there aren't any cabins.

Steve!

Honey, do you have
everything you need?

You know what,
I have to run to the office

if you don't mind
getting everybody loaded up.

I'll be down in a sec.

Ashley, why don't you come
with me to the van, I'll get your bag.

Okay.

Look at her bags.

We're only going to be gone
for two days.

What? She's never been camping
before so she over packed.

Hey Steve,
are there going to be bugs?

Yeah Coop, we're camping in
the woods there's going to be bugs.

I hate bugs.

We're not even there yet
and she's already doing her nails.

Bugs bite.

You can borrow
my bug spray, Coop.

- (Coop) 'Thanks, man.
- No problem.

- I know what you're thinking.
- What?

She's out of your league.

Carrie's right.
She only dates guys with "money".

How do you know?

I know what I know.

Are they big bugs'?

Yes. Big enough
to bite your head off!

You don't know that.

Ashley only dates guys
that can buy her lots of "stuff."

(Carrie)
And you're not rich enough.

There's more to life
than money.

I'm just saying
I think she's out of your league.

It's not like
I'm going to date her.

Then what?

I think she just needs a friend,
that's all.

Carrie, Do you think one can
of bug spray will do it?

Do what?

Keep the big bugs away.

Cooper!

What?

Let's go everybody,
load up,

the bags aren't going
to pack themselves

[music]

[music]

Alright everybody
let's get out and check around --

this is going to be your home
for the next two nights.

- Is this it?
- This is it.

Where are the cabins?

There's no cabins, Coop.
This is wilderness living.

No cabins? But Carrie said
there would be cabins.

Why do you think they asked us
to bring our own sleeping bags?

You mean we actually have to sleep
on the ground, with the bugs?

Oh wait, you know what?
We might not even have tents.

No tents!
What if it rains?

Don't worry Coop,
we brought tents.

You know what Stuart?
I like it, looks good.

What about snakes?
Any snakes up here?

No, I don't think we get snakes
this time of year.

That's a relief.

At least I don't think so.

Hey Ashley, we're only going
to be here for this weekend,

do you really need
all that luggage?

I couldn't decide
what to wear.

(sarcastically)
"I couldn't decide what to wear."

Come on, be nice,
she's just different.

It doesn't make her
a bad person.

No, but the fact that she's stuck up,
spoiled and self-involved does.

Guys! Guys!
Is there something on me?

No!

'Thought I felt something.

He's a funny kid.

Well, we're back.

Yeah. We love this place,
don't we?

Yep, we sure do.

Something good
always happens up here.

Alright everybody let's go,
grab your tents.

[music]

Gameboy,
what are you doing?

What? I'm making
another hot dog.

That's like your third one.

It's my fourth.

You cook a mean
hot dog, Stuart.

Thank you very much,
Gameboy.

It's the only thing I learned
to do right at culinary school.

What kind of school?

Culinary... you know, cooking.

You went to a school to learn
how to cook hot dogs?

[laughter]
No Coop.

Stuart's kidding but that's
what culinary school is.

A school where you learn
how to cook hot dogs?

[laughter]

What's so funny?

It's a school where you learn
to cook, not just hot dogs.

Man, you don't
know anything.

I didn't know.

It's okay Coop.
We learn something new everyday.

I actually wanted
to study hamburgers

but you had to go
an extra year to do that.

[music]

My family and I
camp out like this a lot.

This will be a fun weekend,
you'll see.

Look, I don't really want to talk
to anybody, okay?

I mean, no offense,
but I hate it out here

and I'm just trying to get
through this as quick as possible.

Okay.
I Understand.

Appreciate it.

Alright, since we're
all gathered around

let's take a moment to get
to know one another a little better.

Alright. I want to ask
everybody a few questions.

Is this going to be one of those
dumb games, Stuart?

No, this isn't "going to be
one of those dumb games, Stuart."

Think of it as an experiment
and everyone has to answer.

So, here is the question.

What is your favorite book
in the Bible?

Coop, you go first.

My favorite book.
How about the Gospel of John.

Gospel of John.
Carrie?

Do I have to?

Yes, you have to,
come on.

Um, Matthew

(Stuart) Steve,
how about you?

Romans.

Romans, good.
Gameboy?

I prefer Amos.

[laughter]

(Gameboy)
What are you laughing at?

Amos?

Yes, Amos.
It's in the Old Testament.

I know where Amos is.

Leave it to Gameboy
to be different.

Gameboy says he likes Amos

there is some good stuff in Amos,
we'll go with that.

(Stuart)
And last, Ashley?

Stuart.

Ashley, please.

Matthew John,
it really doesn't matter.

You gotta choose one.

Matthew.

Matthew it is. Okay.

Now, can each of you tell me
something about your favorite book?

It can be a verse,

something that spoke to you,
anything.

. Coop?
. Me?

- Yeah.
- Now?

Tell me something about John.

Oh, I don't know, I can't think
of anything right on the spot.

Okay.
Carrie?

Lets let Steve go.

(Stuart)
Come on it's your turn.

I can't really think
of anything right now.

Okay.
Steve how about you?

"For all have sinned

and have come short
of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23

Excellent.
That's why we all need Jesus.

How about you,
Gameboy?

You want me to tell you something
about the book of Amos?

You said it was
your favorite book.

Ah yeah, but I didn't knowwe were
going to have a pop quiz on it.

Oh, alright, sorry.

-(Stuart ) Ashley?
- Yes?

Can you tell me
something about Matthew?

No...um...l can't...

Alright.
Thanks for being honest.

(Stuart)
Alright last question.

If you could change one thing about
your character, what would it be?

Coop?

I don't know,
I never thought about it.

Okay, well, take your time.

I guess, not to be
so scared of everything.

Like bugs.

Hey, that's a legitimate fear.
Doctors diagnose it all the time.

Yeah, bug doctors.

[laughter]

I agree with Coop.

It's a legitimate fear,
I accept it.

(Stuart) Carrie?

Stuart, no offense,
but these questions?

They have a purpose.

Please, just give me something.

I don't know, reach out
to more people I guess.

That's good.

Steve?

Be more sensitive to others.

I realize that a lot of people
look good on the outside

but on the inside
they're really hurting.

(Stuart)
Okay, good.

Gameboy?

I guess be more attentive.
My mind wander sometimes.

Sometimes?

Okay.

And Ashley?

I don't like this.

I know.
It's the last question.

Come on Ashley,
it'll help him prove his point.

Be more neat.

(Coop)
Be more neat?

Ashley, you're like the neatest
person I've ever met

(Stuart) No, this is good,
this is good.

We could all, present company
included, be a little more neat.

Okay.

What's the point?

The point is that all of you gave
really good answers, for the most part,

and if you noticed,
they were all pretty different.

And that's the point,
it's okay to be different.

We don't all have to try
to be like everyone else.

We need to recognize that we were
all created by God to be ourselves.

Instead of just criticizing each other
and tearing each other down,

we should see each other as special
in the eyes of the Lord

and help each other.

Sound like a plan?

Sounds good, Stuart.

Good. Oh, also,
I think just while we're here,

it might be a good idea to brush up
on our favorite books in the Bible.

It might be a good idea to brush up
on our favorite books in the Bible.

[music]

(Steve)
Do I see a bug?

Huh? A bug?

(Screams) Ah a bug!
A big bug! Ahhhhh!!

(Carrie)
What's wrong with him'?

Coop! I was just messing with you,
it's just a twig, not a bug.

That's not funny, Steve.

What's wrong?

Steve put a bug on my face!

It was ajust a twig.

Steve?!

Didn't feel like it.
I almost had a heart att*ck!

Man, I was just trying to help
you overcome your fear.

Well, surely you can find
a better way to do that.

Now, come on it's night time,
turn in.

Not funny Steve.

Okay, okay.
I'm sorry, Coop.

At least it wasn't
a real bug.

Yeah well, just for that,

I'm not paying you back
for the can of bug spray.

It was just a joke.

No, jokes make people laugh,
not fear for their lives.

I said I was sorry.

- Still hoping?
- Hoping for what?

You know.
I saw you trying to talk to her earlier.

Someone has to.
Maybe you should.

You said you wanted
to reach out more.

Is that your motive?
To reach out.

Why, you jealous?

- Of her?
- Yeah.

- No way.
- I think you are.

I think you like her.

I have some compassion.

My mom knows
Ashley's grandmother.

Ashley's living with her

because her mom's living
with her new boyfriend.

I guess her Mom's
always finding guys

that have money
who can buy her things.

Maybe Ashley is the way she is
because she doesn't know any better.

Or maybe she's just the way
she is because she likes it

and she uses guys
to get nice things just like her mother.

Has it ever occurred to you that

maybe one of the purposes of this
trip is to show her a better way?

That girl is nothing like us
and she never will be.

You don't know that.

She may be tough
on the outside

but on the inside I think
she's really hurting.

And you can be the one
to rescue her, right?

Yeah.

[music]

(Coop)
Good pancakes Beth.

(Steve)
Yes, they sure are.

Thank you. I'll have some
more for you in just a minute.

It's actually Stuart's recipe.

(Coop)
Stuart? No, I don't think so.

Oh, come on.

Beth makes the pancakes,
I make the French toast.

Hey Gameboy, how you
liking your pancakes?

I'm finding them very palatable.

Palatable?

(Steve)
Yeah, it means he likes them.

You speak a different
language, Gameboy.

Hey Carrie, why don't you go see if
Ashley would like some pancakes?

I would really prefer not to.

Please.
I think it'd be a nice gesture.

Okay.

We're having pancakes for breakfast,
how many do you want?

Who said I wanted pancakes?

This isn't a restaurant.

She's making pancakes
so how many?

I don't want any.

She says she doesn't want any.
They're not good enough for her.

So Stuart, what are we
going to do today?

Well, we're going to change
the oil on the van and rotate the tires

and since we're there we may
as well vacuum cleaner out

and you know kind of
spruce it up a little.

We came here to camp,
not work.

(Steve)
He's just messing with you, Cooper.

Yeah, plus, there's not an electrical
outlet to run the vacuum.

Why do you think I brought
extra batteries for my game?

Always thinking there Gameboy.

So what are we going to do?

I have an idea.

I say we go scuba diving
in the lake.

That sounds like fun.

You can't go scuba diving
in a lake,

you got to go scuba diving
in the ocean.

Did you bring the scuba gear?

You know what? I didn't.

- You know what I did bring though?
- (Stuart) What?

Fishing poles.

Alright everybody,
we about ready to go?

I am! Hey Stuart, thanks
for letting me borrowthis net.

Don't thank me
thank Beth,

she's the one who thought
you might need it.

- Thanks Beth.
- (Beth) You're welcome.

I'm ready too.

Where's Gameboy?

Oh, he's coming.

- Okay Steve where is it?
- What?

My game.
I can't find my game.

What did you do?

Did you try to sell it
to somebody again?

I didn't take your game.

Your laughing.
See, you can't keep a straight face.

I knowyou took it.

I didn't take it, honest.

Coop, did you take it?

I didn't take it.

Well, I can't go fishing
until I find my game.

We didn't take it.

Where is it then?
Stuart, do you know?

I'm sorry Gameboy,
I don't.

Do you remember
the last place you saw it?

We'll help you look for it.

Well, I knowl had it in my tent
last night before Steve took it.

Ashley?
Hey. you ready to go?

Home? Yes.
Fishing? No.

Everybody's got
to go fishing Ashley.

(Ashley) Yea I know;
but I don't want to.

We're going to have
a good time.

I much rather stay here.

Everybody has to go okay?
Come on, Stuart's rule.

(Carrie) I'm ready!
And I love fishing.

It's my favorite thing about camping.
I can't wait.

(Beth)
Well, that's the spirit, Carrie.

Listen, why don't you go ahead

and tell Stuart we'll be there
in a minute.

Thank you.

Ashley,
I'll be expecting you.

We need to find
this "game", boys.

What's wrong?

I can't find my game.

Steve took it
but he won't admit it.

For the last time,
I did not take your game.

See you're laughing.
Guilty as charged.

You mean the game you left behind
on the log after breakfast?

There it is! Thanks Carrie.
You're the best.

Okay guys, thanks for helping me
look for the game.

Nowlet's go,
the fish are waiting.

Gotta love Gameboy.

Told you I didn't take it.

You know if somebody
doesn't catch a fish

we're not going to have
anything to eat for dinner.

We'll catch some.

Maybe we should give a prize out
to the first person who catches one.

What they get to change
the oil on the bus?

That's funny.

I know who's not going to catch
the first one.

Gameboy, you got one.

[laughter]

Hey Carrie,
you ever been fishing before?

(Carrie)
Yeah, all the time.

Really. When?

My Dad used to fish in tournaments
and I would go with him.

Being in the boat
doesn't make you a fisherman Carrie.

I beg your pardon.

Oh sorry, a fisher woman.

I bet I've been fishing
more than you have.

Nope, not a chance.

The Coop man grew up

with his own personal fishing
pond right in his back yard.

I've been fishing ever since
I was a little bobber.

He got you there, Carrie.

Well we'll see who
catches the first one.

Would you mind taking
a drink to Stuart for me?

- I guess.
- Thank you.

You know what you're supposed to do
if you catch a big one Carrie?

A big one? In this lake?

Sure.

Kind of like the big ones you
used to catch in your pond.

She got you there Coop.

When you think you got one,
the first thing you gotta do

is step back and pull
your pole hard like this.

Hey!

I'm sorry Ashley!

You are such an idiot!

Ashley!

Do you know how much
this outfit cost'?

I said I'm sorry.

Yeah? Well, I'm going to send you
the dry cleaning bill!

He said he was sorry!

Like it matters now.

Why did you even come
on this trip anyway?

You obviously
don't want to be here.

You think I wanted to be here?

And you certainly
don't fit in.

Carrie!

My grandmother
made me come on this trip, okay.

I hate this church stuff.

Why? Because you think
you're too good for us?

Alright guys, just keep fishing.
I'll be back in a minute.

Carrie!

I don't want to talk, alright!

I don't like her and she doesn't
like me and that's that.

So whatever you came over
here to say, you can just save it.

She needs our help.

She's beyond our help.

What if the Lord had
that attitude about us?

She's the one with the attitude,
can't you see that?

Okay, even if she does,
how should we react?

I'm not sorry for what I said.
It was the truth.

- Like I said...
- Steve Just save it!

Okay.

[music]

- (Beth) Ashley.
- Just leave me alone, okay?

Ashley it was an accident.

You know what,
she's right.

I don't belong here.
I don't belong anywhere.

(Beth) That's not so.
We love having you here with us.

I just...
I just want to go home.

(Beth) Look, I think if you would
just meet everyone halfway,

you would see their
a great group.

And that's just going
to fix everything?

Look, I understand that your life has
been hard with your family situation.

No, you don't understand.

I never met my father
because he left when I was little

and I've lost count of how many
boyfriends my mom has had.

Because of all of them
Ashley's always in the way

and I get shuffled
to some family member.

(Sarcastically) Is that how
life is for you, is it?

Because if not, please do not
tell me that you understand.

Well, that didn't look good.

That girl is really troubled.

Well, can you blame her
the way she's been passed around.

How's Carrie?

I don't know, probably feels terrible
the way she blew up at her.

What can we do?

Nothing for now.
Just let both girls be alone for a while.

Ashley just needs a huge dose
of unconditional love.

What did you just say?

Ashley needs a huge dose
of unconditional love.

Alright, since this
is our last night here,

I think it would be
appropriate to end with a story.

(Gameboy)
Can we tell ghost stories?

(Coop)
Let me tell one!

(Gameboy) Tell him the one
about the guy with the hook!

No, no, no.
I'm telling the story alright?

It's going to be a love story,
not a ghost story.

(Coop) There's more guys than girls.
We should be able to pick.

(Gameboy) Can it at least still
have a guy with a hook in it?

(Coop) Yeah, that'll work.
A love story about a guy with a hook!

This is actually a Bible story
about a man named Hosea.

He was a prophet
in the Old Testament.

Come on Stuart,
the Old Testament?

Yeah, this is the now,
not the then.

You haven't even heard
the story yet.

It's a good one, I promise.

And you might be surprised
to find out how it applies to us.

(Coop) I'd rather hear a ghost story.
No offense against Hos-ee.

- (Steve) It's Hosea!
- You don't know the guy.

- Yes I do. I've read Hosea before.
- You have not.

- Yes I have.
- You have not.

Guys! Alright.

Now, in order to understand
the story of Hosea,

you got to know something
about the times he was living in.

In those days, God's people, Israel,
was divided into two kingdoms;

the Northern Kingdom
and the Southern Kingdom.

The Southern Kingdom
was faithful in following God.

But, the Northern Kingdom,
not so much.

They had chosen to worship pagan
gods from neighboring countries

instead of following the Lord.

And because of this lack of faithfulness
by the Northern Kingdom,

God was sending in the Assyrians
to att*ck and enslave them.

But even in His judgment,
God loved His people.

He wanted to give them every
opportunity to come back to him.

So He sent them a warning.

He sent them a prophet,
a man named Hosea.

(Hosea) For I desire mercy and not
sacrifice the knowledge of God

and not burnt offerings,
so says The Lord our God.

Therefore shall the land mourn
and everyone who dwells therein

shall languish with
the beasts of the field

and with the fowls in Heaven,

yea the fishes of the sea
also shall be taken away.

I thought you said
this was a love story.

This sounds depressing.

Sounds like the making
of an awesome video game

where those Assyrian guys
come to att*ck.

Yeah.

Stuart?

Don't worry Carrie.
Don't worry.

The love story part is coming.

I just got to keep setting the stage
a little bit, alright?

To God, the people of Israel
are like His wife,

His one true love.

Only she keep being unfaithful
to Him by worshipping other gods.

What God really wanted was
for someone to understand

how He was feeling.

That's where Hosea comes in.

Hosea was a good man and God
knewthat He could relate to him.

That's also where Hosea's
future wife, Gomer, comes in.

Wait a minute! Gomer'?
What kind of a name is that?!

What? That's her name.

I don't see anything
wrong with it.

Right up there
with Amos, huh?

Hey, what if Gameboy married Gomer.
Gameboy and Gomer.

[laughter]
Gameboy and Gomer.

(Stuart) Like I was saying,

this is where Gomer
comes into the picture.

The Bible tells us that Gomer
was a woman of harlotry

but what we don't know is
was she was already a harlot

or was that something in her heart
that she would one day act out on.

That's not even really the point.

The point is that she would
never be faithful to one man.

She would sell herself and her love
in exchange for expensive jewelry

and a place of status
in their society.

In a way, she was kind of like
the people of the Northern Kingdom.

Never being faithful to their God

and always looking to other false
gods for prosperity and prestige.

And then God said to Hosea
"Take this woman as your wife."

[music]

Such beautiful bracelets.

Yes, they are indeed.

Are you buying them
for someone?

They are for my wife.

A very fortunate woman.

Yes, she is.

I wish I were that fortunate.

Maybe one day you will be.

[music]

(Hosea) Gomer.

Hosea.

There you are,
I have been looking for you.

Why did you leave the temple?

I have heard your sayings before.

They are not just sayings,

these are prophecies
from the Lord.

I decided to come to the marketplace
ahead of you.

Such beautiful bracelets.

You knowwe
can not afford them.

Sometimes it is better not to even gaze
upon the things we can not have.

So beautiful.

Do you remember this place,
Gomer?

This is where I
first approached you

to tell you that God wanted me
to marry you.

I never understood why you would
want to marry someone like me.

Because it was the Lord's will.

And I promise to love you
a lifetime.

You have business left with Zedekiah.
Go ahead.

I will see you at home.

[music]

Ho, there, Hosea!

Zedekiah my friend.

And what have you for me today?
Another jar I hope.

Yes...here you are.

A beauty. I can see that you
work hard on these.

Creating these from dust and clay
help me to understand the Lord better.

I see howfragile we all really are.

I just hope you keep bringing
your work sol can sell to my customers.

Yes, of course I will.
It is our only means of provision.

And here is your share
from the last one.

Thank you. I was afraid, I must confess,
that my jars might stop selling.

You were speaking
to the people again today.

Yes. I deliver to them
the words of the Lord.

Why do you talk
of such great judgment?

'L'lmes are good!

To some it may seem so,
Zedekiah,

but the truth is we have
abandoned our true God

in exchange for little statues
that we pretend are gods.

Something terrible is coming

and if the people of the
Northern Kingdom do not repent

and turn from their ways,

then we will all suffer
a horrible fate.

Your God does not
sound so kind.

He is not only my God,
Zedekiah.

Have you forgotten the name
of your true God?

His Name is Jehovah.

Let us not talk about such things.

I do not want to upset
the working relationship we have.

(to self) A horrible fate.

I see that Gomer was about
the marketplace today.

Yes, she came with me.

She is a very beautiful woman
but she has a wandering eye.

I see the way
she looks at other men.

Please do not say
such things Zedekiah.

It is the truth.

She is not a woman
you can trust with your heart.

I do not understand
why you married her.

The Lord told me to do so.

Surely there were finer
and purer women for you to marry.

She's in need of love
like everyone else.

Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim,
has never lacked in love.

She's being faithful to me now
and there is a difference between

the love she's used to receiving
and the love that I have for her.

Only a broken heart will
this woman give you Hosea.

I will see you again soon.

So long my friend.

[music]

They have been
talking about you.

The people do not like
what you are saying,

so why do you persist?

The words I speak
are from the Lord.

But they are harsh.

No my wife, they are truth.
Always the truth.

Because of your words,
they do not speak well of me either.

I cannot change what
the Lord instructs me to say.

Why does God not show mercy
to the people?

God has shown great mercy
to His people

by allowing them to live in their
sinful ways for such a long time.

The people have forgotten the great
things the Lord has done for them.

Perhaps if God was not so judgmental,
the people would respond.

Lord God, I pray that your words
might affect the people.

I pray that they would turn
their hearts back to you again.

Please, God, forgive us our sins.

Help us to turn away
from the sacrifices to idols,

cause us to be the people
who long for You and only for You.

- Uh...Stuart?
- Yes, Steve.

I don't mean
to interrupt you here,

but I've read the story
of Hosea and Gomer before

and I don't remember
any of this.

Well, you are not wrong.

The Book of Hosea
doesn't go into detail

about how Hosea and Gomer met

or the circumstances surrounding
their marriage.

It simply says that God told Hosea
to marry Gomer and so he did.

What I am doing is coming up with
a way that might have happened

so you can get a little more
appreciation from the facts.

We do know from the Bible
that Hosea married Gomer

and Gomer gave birth
to a son.

And the Lord told Hosea
to call the child "Jezreel"

because he would put an end
to the kingdom of Israel.

Okay, what was his name?
Jez-who?

Jezreel. You see,
the judgment was coming.

And the Lord was trying
to warn the people.

It was God's will that the child
be called "Jezreel"

as a prophecy against
the Northern Kingdom.

Wait a minute Stuart,
I got a question.

If God knew that Gomer
was going to be unfaithful,

then why would He have
Hosea marry her?

Especially because you said
he was a good man.

God wanted Hosea to understand Him,
and that's the key here.

He wanted Hosea
to love so deeply

knowing that it would
never be returned.

It was a very hard lesson,
but in the end...

well, I'm getting ahead
of myself.

He's finally sleeping.

I have to go the temple
again tomorrow

To sell another jar?

Yes, and I need to speak
to the people again.

Hosea, why can you not just be
concerned about taking care of us.

We have enough food
and we have a place to live,

a place for our son to sleep.

It is the people we need
to be concerned about.

These are good times
for the people.

The harvest was plentiful.

The merchants are selling
their goods.

But we do not acknowledge the One
who is providing for us.

We have traded the living God
for silent statues

that are no more than
pieces of clay.

Hosea, what have you gained
by obeying your God?

How can you ask such a question?
He is your God, too.

We need money, Hosea.
Not more prophecies of doom.

Hear this, you priests.
Hearken, you house of Israel.

Give ear oh you house of the king;
for judgment is toward you.

I know Ephraim and Israel
is not hid from me,

for now, oh Ephraim, you commit
prostitution and Israel is defiled.

(Jahaz) He speaks of prostitution,
while his own wife is a harlot!

[laughter and murmur]

They do not frame their doings
to turn unto their God,

for the spirit of prostitution
is in the land

and they have not known
the Lord.

And the pride of Israel
does testify to his face,

therefore shall Israel and Ephraim
fall in their iniquity.

Judah also shall fall with them.

They have dealt treacherously
against the Lord

for they have begotten
strange children.

So says the Lord our God.

The only person bearing strange
children is your wife.

[laughter]

You speak of this judgment to come
only to provoke the people.

My heart breaks for God's people.

Your words are false.

The words that I deliver to you are the
words of the Lord and they are true.

We need to take heed
before it is too late.

If you keep speaking these words,

we shall deal treacherously
with you, Hosea.

[music]

Hosea, so good
to see you my friend.

I thought you had found yourself
another business partner.

No, no.

It has been hard for me to find
time to make jars these days.

How much is this one?

Perhaps if you would spend less time
warning the people

and more time tending to your jars,
you would find yourself better suited.

The Lord and His work
must always come first.

Be careful with the people,
Hosea.

I do not want to see
anything happen to you.

Neither do I.

I will see you next time.

Yes.

Hosea, you forgot your pay!

Why wouldn't the people listen?

Because they probably
thought Hosea

was a nut case
with all that judgment talk.

And you heard Zedekiah,
times were good.

Sometimes it's hard to hear
God when it's going well.

Yeah, but these people
are deaf.

Easy to forget that He is the one
who allows us to prosper.

Well I'm not forgetting
and I would have listened.

No you wouldn't have.

Yes, I would've.
And I would have helped Hosea too.

(Stuart)
You know what Coop,

I bet Hosea would have
appreciated the help.

You have returned so soon?

I said what I needed
to say to the people.

Did you get a good price
for the jar?

Yes I did. Zedekiah is always
fair with me.

Where is the payment?

Oh, I do not have it.
I have forgotten to take it from Zedekiah.

That money is our only means.

Zedekiah is a loyal friend.

He will keep the money for me.

I shall go there tomorrow
and get it.

I am tired now
from today's journey.

And you are bringing us
to poverty.

The Lord is providing.

Soon, we will have nothing at all.

Gomer, where are you going?

To the marketplace to get
your payment from Zedekiah.

Tomorrowwill be soon enough.

Gomer!

(Gomer) Zedekiah!

(Zedekiah) Gomer? What brings you
to the marketplace at close?

I have come
for my husband's pay.

Yes, of course.

Hosea left in such a hurry.

I tried calling out to him.

Here you go.

Thank you.
We need this payment.

You have a fine man
in Hosea.

A man that is bringing us
to poverty.

His jars always bring
a good price.

But he does not make
enough of them.

He spends too much time
being concerned about the people.

Indeed, your husband speaks boldly
for his God.

But have you noticed
that no one is listening.

What I have noticed is that your
husband loves you very much.

I will be on my way.

[music]

Shhh!

It is you.

I did not mean to scare you.

You surprised me.

I have been looking for you
each day at the marketplace.

I do not come here often.

I want to see you.

But you are married.

I am giving my wife
a bill of divorcement.

I have a husband
who loves me.

Your husband is of
no concern to me.

But you, you are a very beautiful
woman and deserve beautiful things.

So Beautiful.

Beautiful things that
I can give you.

[music]

I have been waiting for you.

Hosea, you frightened me!

I have not been able to sleep.

You said you went to the market
to see Zedekiah

but this was many hours ago.

My wife,
where have you been?

I went also to see my father.

I thought it would be best
to spend time with him.

He is not feeling well.

Diblaim's health is failing?

I thought it'd be best
I spend time with him.

Yes, of course.

I wish you to visit Diblaim
as often as you like.

This Gomer, what a loser!
Hosea should have dumped her.

Hosea was doing what
God told him to do.

He couldn't dump her.

That's right,
when you make a vow to the Lord,

you keep it, no matter what the
circumstances are or the situation.

You stay true to your word
and marriage is a vow.

The Lord had put that
deep in Hosea's heart.

Well, I didn't mean for him
to really dump her.

I know you didn't, you just don't
like her unfaithfulness to Hosea

just as God didn't like His
people's unfaithfulness to Him.

The Bible tells us that
Gomer conceived again

and gave birth to a daughter.

The Lord told Hosea
to name this child Lo-Ruhamah,

that He would no more have mercy
upon the house of Israel.

Hear the word of the Lord,
you children of Israel,

for the Lord has a controversy
with the inhabitants of this land,

there is no truth, nor mercy,
nor knowledge of God in the land.

There is only cursing
and lying,

k*lling and stealing
and committing adultery.

Therefore shall the land mourn,

and everyone that
dwells in it shall anguish.

These are the words
of the Lord our God.

Hosea, dare you continue to speak
these words of judgment against us.

I say to you Jahaz
and to all the people.

You bow down to gods
that are no gods.

And you have rejected the Lord God,
your true maker.

But we are blessed
and our purses are full.

We do not need the ways
of your God.

The ways of the Lord are right
and the just shall walk int

Hosea is jealous because
we are prosperous

and he has come into poverty.

[laughter]

Do you see this
barren olive tree?

Such will be the result
of your prosperity.

You shall all of you become
as barren as this tree

if you do not turn back
to the true God.

The God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob.

It is you that is barren.

Our gods have
well taken care of us.

To all the people I say.

After the judgment,
your God will not forget his children.

The day will come when all Israel
will return to the Lord

and this tree
shall be full again.

[music]

[voice of Jahaz] Hosea is jealous
because we an-2 prosperous

and he is come into poverty.

[laughter]

It is you that is barren.
Our gods have well taken care of us.

[music]

Did she steal it?

Cooper, would you
stop interrupting.

I just want to know
if she stole it.

No, the rich guy
bought it for her.

What makes you say that?

Because that's what rich guys do,
they buy things for women.

That's how they get 'em
to like them.

How do you know?

I know what I know.

Plus, Hosea's savings were
still in his safe spot.

It was the rich guy.

Well money can't buy true love.

Yeah, but that's not
what Gomer was thinking.

Sorry Stuart this Hosea guy,

he might be a prophet
but he's not very smart.

Yep, I saw through this Gomer lady
a half hour ago.

You guys are pleading a good case
and I hear you loud and clear.

Which brings me to this.

There's a verse in the Bible,
way back in the book of Numbers

that says you can be sure
that your sin will find you out.

So what do you think
is about to happen?

She's going to get caught.

I doubt it.
At least not by Hosea.

Would you guys stop talking
and let Stuart continue the story.

Keep going Stuart.

You're the one who
started talking first.

(Stuart)
A couple of days later...

Diblaim!

Hosea!
I am surprised to see you.

Howis my son-in-law!

I am well.
It is you who I am concerned about.

Gomer says your health
has not been good.

My health is very strong
these days.

But Gomer said you were ill.

But I am well.
Howis my daughter?

I have not seen her
in many weeks.

Many weeks?

She has lied to me.

She was not with her father
so where could she have gone?

- Hosea.
- Where could she have gone?

I think you already know
the answer to that my friend.

I did not want to say
anything before...but...

there has been talk
of Gomer and -

Please do not say it.

You need to know the truth.

Gomer has been unfaithful again.

You do not know that for certain.
I will ask her.

I would not trust the answer
from that harlot.

Do not call her that!

Why do you defend her?

Because I love her.

Then you are a fool!

You would love her even though
she has done this?

And more than once.

She is my wife.

Okay, Hosea enough is enough.

Yea, she's toast.

First Gomer lies,
now she cheats.

'L'lme to throwthis fish back
in the water.

But not back in my pond.
I don't want her.

He's not going
to get rid of Gomer.

Why not?
He knows she's doing wrong.

Yea, but you are
missing the point.

She's been nothing
but trouble.

I'm with Coop.

Hosea's not going
to get rid of her guys.

The next day,
Hosea was working on ajar.

Gomer, where are you going?

To see my father.

Your father?

Yes, I want to see about his health
and prepare him some food.

Ah, good,
let me come with you.

We can ask Lydia to care
for the children.

No, please stay here.

I would like to see him alone.

We can go see him
together another time.

When will you return?

I will be back before sunset.

Gom er.

Yes?

Please give Diblaim
a greeting for me.

Yes of course.

[music]

(Hosea) Please God, I can not take
this anymore, my heart will not last.

I would send her away, but I know
I can not, for it is not your will.

I have made a promise
to you and I will keep it.

Man, I don't think
I would have been like that.

I'd probably would have been
mad at God.

Yeah, had to be tough
to deal with.

And maybe that's
why God chose Hosea

because he knew
Hosea would understand

and stay faithful
to his vow.

I think it's cool that Hosea's
going to stay with her,

even after what he
found out about Gomer.

What Hosea was going
through right now

is what God was going
through with His people.

Hosea was feeling God's pain.

So the Bible tells us that
Gomer had another son

and the Lord told Hosea
to call him Lo Ammi,

which has the meaning,

you are not my people
and I will not be your your God.

Why do you insist
on these names?

Why do you insist
on these names?

I name them
as the Lord tells me.

But we are being ridiculed
by our people.

The names of our children
is not what is troubling us.

What do you mean?

I see the jewelry you are wearing,
Gomer?

We can not afford these
on what we make from the jars?

They are gifts.

It is wrong what you are doing.

I do not know
what you are saying.

You do Gomer! It is wrong for you
to be seeing another man.

I told you
I could not be tamed.

He only wants you for what
you can offer him.

I want to be with you for what
I can give to you.

You give nothing, he does.

It is against God's Holy Law

I do not need your God
or you to pity me.

You speak of this doom
that is to come, let it come.

Let your God destroy us all.

God does not want to destroy us.
He wants to save us.

Not all of us want to be saved.

[music]

Today we celebrate
the leaving of my wife!

I pray that no man here ever
gets married to one such as she.

[laughter]

We can see you
are no longer lonely!

No, not at all, for I have found
one far lovelier.

A toast!

To the most beautiful woman
in the land!

Here, here!

[laughter]

Why? Why? Why? Why Lord?
Why? Why? Why?

The idols of the people
are silver and gold,

the work of men's hands,
nothing more than this piece of clay.

Mouths have they
but they speak not.

They have eyes but see not.

Ears have they
but they hear not,

nor is there any breath
in their mouths.

Everyone that trusts in them
shall become like them.

Your people have rejected you...

as Gomer has rejected me.

I feel sorry for Hosea,
he deserved better.

Here Hosea is doing right
and Gomer is doing wrong.

Yet, Hosea is the one
who has to pay.

Plus, no one is doing anything
about what he's saying.

So you got Hosea
taking care of his kids,

he's busy making jars,

he's gotta speak
God's Word to the people,

and nobody's listening to him,
and what's Gomer off doing,

she's in some five star hotel
with the rich guy.

Thank you Gameboy
for capturing that so eloquently.

However, there's a little more
to this story.

My people are destroyed
for lack of knowledge.

And because you have rejected
knowledge, I will also shall reject you.

You shall be no priest to me,

for seeing as how you have forgotten
the law of your God,

I also shall forget your children.

As they were increased,
so they sinned against me,

therefore will I change
their glory into shame.

I shall punish them for their ways,
and reward them for their doings.

For they shall eat,
and not have enough

because they have left off
to take heed to the Lord.

Son of Beeri! Wait for me!

Zedekiah.

Those were strong words
to the people.

The patience of our God
will not endure forever.

You continue to warn us of this
great judgment that is to come.

But nothing has yet happened.
All is well.

No Zedekiah,
all is not well.

The people do not worship
the one who created them

and they do not fear
His Holy name.

Judgment is coming.

Has Gomer returned?

Ah, Gomer, my love!
Come and dance with me!

Come dance!

Dance with me! Dance!

I am not in the mood.

Dance with me.

I am not in the mood.

Your husband Hosea
may have stood for your moods,

but I will not because
I am in the mood.

Now, dance with me!

I will not.

You resist me?

I do not desire it.

But I do!

No!

Was not I the one you left
that false prophet

and all your other lovers for?

You ran into my arms because
of all the nice things I can give you.

Now, dance with me!

Leave me alone.

- You will do as I say.
- No!

No?
Guards! Guards!

What are you doing?

Since you do not desire
my charms tonight...

I do not care to see
this one anymore.

Put her up for auction.

Please! Leave me alone!
Let me go!

Let me go, just please,
no, no!!

[music]

My Lord God, howcan I love one
who loves another?

My Lord God, howcan I love one
who loves another?

Why did You want me
to marry her?

She has been unfaithful
so many times.

I know now how
Your heart grieves

over Your people that
have abandoned you.

So, how can You still love us'?
How'? How'?

[music]

You love us because Your love
is not dependent on us.

Oh, my Lord God,
how great is Your love.

[music]

And now what say you of this one?
Do I have a bid'?

She is still of child bearing age.
If that suits you.

So, who will start the bidding?

No bids?

Surely she can work
in your fields.

Anyone? Anyone? !

A half homer of barley.

Half homer of barley?

Surely, this woman has many
good years of work in her.

Who will give me one piece
of silver for her?

One homer of barley.

One homer of barley.

This woman
is of strong stock!

She can bear your children.

One piece of silver.

One homer of barley,
I said.

One homer of barley.

Anyone else?

One homer of barley going once.

One homer of barley going twice...

(voiced from out of crowd)
Fifteen pieces of silver!

Fifteen pieces of silver?

And a homer of barley
and a half homer of barley, too.

Sold for fifteen pieces
of silver

and a homer of barley
and a half homer of barley too!

[music]

You shall not be for another,

and I will be for you always.

Come, come.

[music]

And he bought her back.
I call it Amazing love.

The story of Hosea is a picture,
a picture of God's amazing love for us.

And just as Hosea bought back
his own wife with all that he had,

Jesus Christ paid the fifteen pieces
of silver for us

when He d*ed on that cross.

He certainly gave all He had.

And if we through faith
believe in Jesus Christ,

and receive Him into our lives,
then all of our sins are forgiven

and we have entered
into God's family, forever.

[music]

You know, Stuart would
never tell you this part...

but he is my Hosea.

When I was really little my
parents were divorced

and I was passed back and forth
between them for years.

I felt so unloved like neither
parent really wanted me.

Then, I met Stuart at church.
He made me feel so special.

I think it was the first time
I really realized what love was

and that He is my real Father.

I don't think I could do
what Hosea did.

I'm not sure any of us could,
Steve.

I don't know that any of us could
muster up that much selfless love

to love someone
who treated us like that.

(Stuart) It's hard enough just
to like someone sometimes

even when their just a little bit
different than we are.

But just like we need Jesus
to get to heaven for salvation,

we also need Him to live
His life through us daily.

Jesus in you
could love a Gomer.

What happened to
the Northern Kingdom

and all of Hosea's prophecies?

Did they come true?

(Stuart)
Yes, Cooper they did.

The people didn't turn back
to God so the Assyrians came

and they enslaved
the Israelites for many years.

Just goes to show how serious
God is about His Word.

You see, most of us don't
revere the Lord as we should.

Hosea did.

Yes, Steve. Hosea did.

So, what are you guys reading?

Figured it was time to read my
favorite book in the Bible again.

The Gospel of John.

That's good.

Gameboy?

Just reading a little bit
of Amos.

Do you have a moment?

I guess.

Ashley, I'm so sorry
about what I said earlier.

I shouldn't have
said those things.

You meant them.

At the time maybe,
but it was wrong.

I just got so mad
and said some stupid things.

Did that story change
your mind?

Yeah, it did.

I knowa little about
your situation with your mom

and I'm really sorry.

It must be so tough.

How would you know'?

You probably have two parents
who are there for you

and who care about you.

You don't have any idea
of what it's like.

Your right. I don't,
but God does.

He can make it better
if you just give Him a chance.

Yeah well, I can handle it myself.

I'd like to be your friend
if you give me a chance.

I knowl haven't acted like
much of a friend on this trip,

but if you ever need
someone to talk to.

[music]

Alright everybody, make sure
you've got everything!

It's time to go!

I read the whole book of Amos
last night Stuart.

- Did you?
- I did.

That's like 8 chapters, isn't it?

Nine to be exact.

I think that's the most
I've read the Bible in one time.

- Very impressive.
- Thanks.

We're going home, Coop.

Yep. No more lumpy ground
to sleep on.

- No more bugs.
- No more bugs!

- I'm going to miss it.
- Yeah. Me too.

Hey Ashley, give me a sec,
I'll come get those for you.

It's okay, I got it.

[music]

Hang on a sec.

- Do you mind sitting in the back?
- Not at all.

You ready?

Um hum.

Hey, can I sit with you?

Um hum.

[music]

We really love this place,
don't we?

We sure do.

Good things always
happen up here.

[music]

(Knock on door)

Jahaz?

Hosea, can we speak?

Yes, yes, we can speak.

I would like to know
more about your God.

[music]

The day will come when all
Israel will return unto the Lord

and this tree shall be full again.