It is one of life’s bitter ironies that, well before the satanic horror of today’s (September 10, 2025) assassination of Charlie Kirk, I had intended to write a post promoting the latest album by über-talented worship artist Rachel Wilhelm, based on the book of Hosea. In it, we find these words that cut close to today’s news and world:
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind
We also find:
(M)y people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
Is there a better message for today?
If you’ve ever listened to my Cephas Hour podcast, you’ve heard Rachel Wilhelm’s excellent work. She is one of those rare artists who combine artistic quality with ministerial integrity, creating a seamless fusion of art and worship that blesses and edifies even as it satisfies a craving for pure music, rich in sophisticated melody and accompaniment yet mercifully unconcerned with commercial considerations. A couple of examples:
But why Hosea as the theme for her new album?
“I chose Hosea because I love the Prophets and believe they have a lot to say about our times today. This album is different from my others. If you refresh your memory by reading the 14 chapters of Hosea, and read it slow, you will see a God who cares about the abused. A God who holds church leaders accountable in the most frightening ways. A God who loves his Bride even though she prostitutes herself and leaves the safety of his arms. A God who hates that his people are sex trafficking their sons and daughters to cult prostitution and killing their babies for a god that is not the true God. Yahweh laments this and their excellent crafting of idols, leading his people confused and astray. He promises infertility and emptiness as a consequence for their harlotry. But his message in the end is always consistent and the same: He loves his Bride, the Church, and he will restore her and bring her to himself.”
Hosea is a sobering read, written during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, who were kings of Judea. The four make an interesting quartet. Uzziah was considered a good king, but ultimately fell victim to his own pride and, as a result, died a leper. His son Jotham was also considered a good king, but Scripture notes that under his reign the people “continued their corrupt practices.” Ahaz was an evil king who worshipped idols and suffered greatly for it, while Hezekiah was the exact opposite.
God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute, which he did, and with whom he had children. God further commanded Hosea, after his wife had gone back to her old ways, to take her back. Through Hosea, God spoke words of both condemnation and reassurance, uncompromising in His denunciation of their sin yet equally unsparing in extending His mercy and love for His people.
Hosea is a message as much for today as it was during the time of its writing. We need both its challenge and its comfort. We are blessed to have artists such as Rachel Wilhelm who are in tune with the Word and God’s creative power working through His creation for the benefit of others. At present, Wilhelm, a true independent artist, is trying to raise enough money to finish and release her new album. She is not seeking an exorbitant amount. If you are looking for something that will provide genuine ministry, please consider supporting Rachel Wilhelm’s fundraiser, which ends on September 15, 2025. She is coordinating the campaign through United Adoration at https://www.unitedadoration.com/project/hosea/.
Now is the time to continue the work of promoting the Truth of the whole Gospel. Supporting deserving artists such as Rachel Wilhelm is a terrific place to start.
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