The unfaithfulness of the people of God and God's love and mercy for them even in their unfaithfulness is a big theme that runs from Genesis to Revelation. The book of Hosea symbolizes this theme through the life and ministry of Hosea. As a prophet of God, Hosea was the mouthpiece of God and He revealed to the people God's words and God's ways. Hosea lived during the reigns of four kings of Judah and one king of Israel. The unfaithfulness of the people to God had resulted in several prophecies on how God intended to remove them from their lands. However, God also revealed His promise of restoration. Hosea's marriage and children became signs and messages to the people.
So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. (Hosea 1:3)
Hosea 1:2 states that, "When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” Thus, Hosea's marriage was to be a symbol of the unfaithfulness of the people to God. Hosea obeyed God and he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son (Hosea 1:3). Through the word of God, the son was named Jezreel because God was going to soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel (Hosea 1:4-5). Gomer had another daughter and the Lord said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them. Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them.” (Hosea 1:6-7). Gomer had another son and the Lord said, “Call him Lo-Ammi (which means “not my people”), for you are not my people, and I am not your God." (Hosea 1:9).
Gomer and her children were symbolic of the state of Israel and Judah. Gomer represented the unfaithful people of God and Hosea represented the faithful God. Gomer's unfaithfulness to Hosea did not cease after marriage. In fact, she left to follow another man and the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” (Hosea 3:1). Through this God showed that although the people had turned away from Him, He still loved them and was willing to go after the sinful people just to show them His love.
Hosea had to buy back his wife from the arms of another man. Hosea 3:2-3 states that Hosea bought Gomer back for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Hosea told Gomer, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.” Just like Gomer was redeemed by Hosea, the sinner has been redeemed with the priceless blood of Jesus. It cost God the life of His only begotten Son to pay the ransom for our sins. Yet we all, like Gomer, keep moving from the arms of Hosea (God) to the hands of another man (sin).
One of the goals of the book of Hosea is to cause the people to return to God. Hosea 6:1-2 states that “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence." And God on His part says to His people, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6). Israel was admonished to "sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you." (Hosea 10:12). It is time for us to return to the Lord!
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