Hosea 3:1–5

1. III.D. Gomer Once More (3:1–5)

Hosea 2:2–3:5 is breathtaking in its scope. The passage begins with Yahweh utterly incensed over the crime of infidelity (2:2), determined to mete out an agonizing punishment (2:3) and to do away with this worthless spouse once and for all (2:3–5). From there the mood switches to the Lord’s tenderhearted desire to win back Israel’s love (2:6–8). Then God lays out a plan to make this a reality, including harsh but needed measures that will force her to change her attitude (2:9–13). He is portrayed as a jealous husband, musing about how it might be when his wife loves him exclusively (2:14–15). Finally, the prophet acts this out by buying back his lost wife and reinstating their vows (3:1–5).

From an earthly perspective, if seems that this envisioned happy ending utterly failed to materialize, for either the northern or the southern kingdom. The northern kingdom only experienced God’s wrath. And when the remnant of the southern kingdom returned from Babylonian exile, they did not appoint a Davidic king. From the time of their return to the time of Jesus, there was no king of David’s lineage to command the loyalty of the faithful. Instead there were only terrible wars that resulted in tyrant after tyrant subjugating the land.

The tragic irony is that, after having gone through such pain and loss, when the Son of David finally did arrive, this same nation rejected him. They did not have him as their king. They did not follow him. And they did not enjoy his goodness in the latter days. Instead, there was rebellion after rebellion until the people of Israel were driven from the land by Rome and forced to wander in exile once again.

But some did have Jesus as their Lord and King. A remnant of Israel believed. And with them, streams of Gentiles from every nation turned from their false gods to embrace Jesus and his revealed Father. Those who were not the people of God, who were not numbered with the elect, are now welcomed into the kingdom of God. Thus the ultimate fulfillment of Hosea’s prophecy goes far beyond anything expected or hoped for by the original hearers or perhaps even by the prophet himself.

Consider Hosea’s buying back his wife for a price. Note how this parallels the gospel. Paul wrote, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19b–20). This is from a larger section in 1 Corinthians concerning sexual purity in the church. As Hosea bought his wife and demanded her chastity, so also, instructs Paul, all Christians owe their Master heartfelt moral virtue and obedience. Thus Christians have an obligation—as surely as did ancient Israel—to live true to the covenant, including even in their sexual behavior.

Perhaps at the end of this section of Hosea a Christian might pause and consider how very like Gomer or the idolatrous Israelites he or she might be. A person’s loves defines that person. The Pharisees “loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God” (John 12:43). Someone who cares too much about what other people think or about winning their approval or respect or affection will be diminished in their valuation of the Father. Two masters cannot be served. Jesus declared, “Whoever loves his life loses it” (John 12:25). Whatever a person loves determines what motivates that person—either love for God or love for other things. Remember, we have been bought with a price, like Gomer, and therefore we owe our Lord all our heart.

The Father will discipline us in order to loosen the grip of these idolatries in our hearts. This process will be painful. But a day is coming in which all of those things that compete with our love for God will be put in proper perspective. On that day we will in full measure bask in the goodness of our salvation.