This story takes place over 2,700 years ago.
Hosea was born in Israel. Even when Hosea was in his mother’s
womb, Yahweh called him. When he was born, Israel was already
corrupt and spiritually dead. Hosea was a prophet of Israel.
The meaning of his name is “Yahweh Saves”. The time
of Hosea was a wicked and evil hour for Israel. God used him
as a prophet to proclaim the love of God. Also, in this time,
Judah had a wicked and evil king named Ahaz. After King Ahaz,
King Hezekiah brought spiritual reformation to Judah. Israel
also had a king; his name was Jeroboam. King Jeroboam brought
prosperity to the nation of Israel, but as time passed by, Israel
was starting to lose their prosperity. Israel was about ready
to be destroyed.
In 722 B.C., Syria took over Israel. After Israel was destroyed,
prophet Hosea continued to proclaim the word of God to his nation,
for seven years, even after their destruction. All along, the
kings of Israel were very worldly. Their minds were like satan.
They were not good shepherds. They loved material things, authority;
they were very cruel, selfish, and worshipped idols. For a long
time, Israel was very poor. They lived a very pitiful life and
were oppressed like slaves. Israel was controlled and ruled
by their enemies. They couldn’t request anything for themselves.
Their enemies were attacking and stole from them in the cities
and in the country. Everything became so desolate. Israel lost
many of their valuables, but they didn’t have any strong
leaders to help them.
Israel was very bitter. Whether bond or free, there was no
helper for Israel. When King Jeroboam reigned in Israel, their
lives were devastated. In that moment, Yahweh felt such a great
compassion for Israel. Yahweh used King Jeroboam to set Israel
free from poverty and from the hands of their enemies. By the
grace and love of God, Israel was finally delivered from oppression
and poverty. After prosperity came back to Israel, they turned
their backs on the love, mercy, and grace of God, then betrayed
Him. They worshipped false idols (a golden calf), baal god,
and many others and left Yahweh.
Many times, when those who do not have a relationship with
Yahweh receive prosperity, they forsake God and become prideful.
As soon as Israel prospered, they betrayed and forsook God and
boldly committed sins. Sometimes, prosperity is a frightening
test.
Israel didn’t use their prosperity for the glory of God,
but they misused it. Therefore, it brought God’s judgment.
God spoke to Israel through Hosea over and over again. God called
Israel, “Israel come back, come back to Me and worship
Me. I love you, I still love you.” God cried out for Israel,
but Israel boldly and perfectly betrayed Yahweh.
Everyday they ran to baal god. Baal was symbolic of the devil.
He was nothing but a false god. When Israel ran to the golden
calf and many other false gods, they worshipped, praised, and
committed harlotry with them. They became slaves to these false
gods. After they forsook Yahweh, they became very corrupt. The
king and people turned away from Yahweh, but Yahweh still gave
them promises. He said He would love them forever. One day,
through their hurts, broken wounds, cuts, and when they are
about ready to die, in that moment when they cry out to Yahweh,
God will answer them. He will love them and embrace them. God
gave that promise. The love of Yahweh is forgiveness, resurrection,
and endless love. Yahweh gave that message to Israel and to
all nations through Prophet Hosea.
The marriage of Hosea and Gomer was symbolic of the relationship
between Yahweh and Israel. Gomer forsook her husband and chose
to live a life of adultery. She chose adultery and her lovers
and forsook her family and Hosea. Later on, her lovers forsook
her and sold her into slavery. She became a slave and lived
like trash. Hosea rescued and saved her. Then he brought her
home. Hosea was forsaken by his wife, but the endless love of
Hosea embraced Gomer. This love is the love of Jesus and His
cross. It is resurrection love.
Right now, we live in the 21st century. We can
find Gomer in our Christian walk. Even in the United States,
we can find Gomer. She is here, she lives in us. We all experience
Gomer’s wanderings, rebellion, betrayal, adultery, hopelessness,
loneliness, and sadness. The story of Gomer didn’t end
years ago because Gomer still lives in many Christian lives
today. The endless love of Hosea restored Gomer’s life
2,700 years ago. When she forsook Yahweh, her husband, and children
and ran into her lovers’ arms, she was completely lost
in the wilderness and lived a life of misery. But the endless
love of Hosea saved her. This love was the love of Jesus Christ.
The love of Jesus will save this world once again.
