Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

If Satan attempts to use wicked people, sin, or addictions to form a hedge to prevent you from reaching your children, you should also pray for a hedge around them that makes it uncomfortable to go out and be disobedient to the truth of God’s Word. I saw this example in the Old Testament story of Hosea and Gomer. The prophet Hosea was instructed to marry a woman who was a prostitute. Gomer, Hosea’s wife, would have children through him, yet she would go out and sin against her husband by committing adultery. She was a picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. In Hosea 2:6 we read: The imagery here is what a Middle Eastern shepherd does each night when gathering sheep into a cave for the night. The good shepherd will often place large thorn bushes at the entrance of the cave to prevent a curious sheep from straying from the flock and heading into the dangerous darkness where a bear or lion could be lurking. There is no comfort when brushing up against a thorn bush, and a stubborn sheep will only become frustrated, but in the process it will be protected from danger. In Gomer’s case, the Lord was going to make it difficult for her to leave her husband and enjoy sinning. Eventually, just as in the story of the prodigal son, she would realize how good she had it with Hosea and become Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, and wall her in, so that she cannot find her paths.