Everything.
The tangled love story of Hosea and Gomer is an unforgettable picture of God’s covenant love for His people. We sometimes shy away from the book of Hosea because it can be confusing, but if you want to see Jesus in the Old Testament, it’s a must-read.
The real life couple star in the ancient soap opera about an unusual marriage between the prophet and the prostitute. The story begins with Jehovah God instructing Hosea to find a wife – a harlot.
Sounds absurd, I know, but it is has a beautiful purpose.
So, the preacher obeyed and gave the fallen lady his name. They set up housekeeping and had a family. The names of the children were pretty significant; God Scatters, No Mercy, and Not My People. Before long, she lived up to her reputation and continued her love affair with the world. Despite his patient pleas, her bitter betrayal took her far from home and she refused to return.
He adored her, but still she abandoned him.
A broken vow – a broken heart – a broken life.
Sound familiar?
When we turn our back on God, He doesn’t wait for us to come back. He pursues us. Hosea’s beautiful words still talk to the church today about our unfaithfulness and His extravagant forgiveness, Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear. He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3
Later, the Lord spoke to him again and told him to take back the wife he couldn’t stop loving. He found her battered by life, chained in a slave auction. The broken-hearted one purchased her for silver and barley.
He paid a price for his bride.
Sound familiar?
The story portrays God’s beautiful desire for us and the great blood-price He paid to make us His own. No matter how unfaithful you’ve been you will find redeeming arms to hold you close.
If you want to read a good love story, pick up your Bible. Only fourteen chapters tells you about them . . . and you. . . and me.
How has God been faithful to you even when you have been unfaithful to Him?
Verna
Dottie says
i opened this and expected to see something about Tina Turner..HAHAHA..i think I’ve lost it.. really hit home with me ..always so much to think about. I just happened no less to be looking at those places u sent me. Have to think, have to think
verna says
Well, it is a little about Tina . . . and each one of us . . . 🙂
Sharon Brobst says
I am about to cry!! Love this!! The story of Hosea and Gomer is my absolute favorite!! It’s also my story. A story of my unfaithfulness and God’s faithfulness.
God used a very similar story in my own life, with my own husband to show not only God’s faithfulness but His redeeming love. When we met he knew I was the one he would marry. God spoke it into his heart clearly. He pursued me, relentlessly. When he asked me to marry him I said no. I dated another. Got pregnant. God spoke to my husband again that I was the one. When my son was 11 months old he married me and took my son as his own. God used that in my life to show me what His love really was, He used it to show me His redeeming love. Wow…that is the shortest version I have ever shared!! 🙂
Side note: Verna this is the story I am writing….the book will be longer! LOL
vernabowman says
I’m praying for you, Sharon as you write through your beautiful story of your own Hosea! He sounds like quite a man.
Thank you so much for sharing about the Faithful One who redeems our unfaithfulness – He’s quite a God.
Sharon Brobst says
I am about to cry!! Love this!! The story of Hosea and Gomer is my absolute favorite!! It’s also my story. A story of my unfaithfulness and God’s faithfulness.
God used a very similar story in my own life, with my own husband to show not only God’s faithfulness but His redeeming love. When we met he knew I was the one he would marry. God spoke it into his heart clearly. He pursued me, relentlessly. When he asked me to marry him I said no. I dated another. Got pregnant. God spoke to my husband again that I was the one. When my son was 11 months old he married me and took my son as his own. God used that in my life to show me what His love really was, He used it to show me His redeeming love. Wow…that is the shortest version I have ever shared!! 🙂
Side note: Verna this is the story I am writing….the book will be longer! LOL
vernabowman says
I’m praying for you, Sharon as you write through your beautiful story of your own Hosea! He sounds like quite a man.
Thank you so much for sharing about the Faithful One who redeems our unfaithfulness – He’s quite a God.
verna says
Well, it is a little about Tina . . . and each one of us . . . 🙂
Lori Hynson says
Verna, I simply cherish your ability to tell a story, draw a parallel and drive home the point so succinctly. You are a blessed writer!
Lori Hynson says
Verna, I simply cherish your ability to tell a story, draw a parallel and drive home the point so succinctly. You are a blessed writer!
Glenda Mills says
Verna,
Love this account and the picture of the faithful love of our bridegroom pursuing the fallen one….no matter what!
Yes, love has everything to do with it!!
Thanks for sharing!
Glenda Mills says
Verna,
Love this account and the picture of the faithful love of our bridegroom pursuing the fallen one….no matter what!
Yes, love has everything to do with it!!
Thanks for sharing!
Janeen Ippolito says
Hosea and Gomer’s story breaks my heart every time I even think about it. It’s such a vivid picture of God’s redeeming love and horribly humbling–but also makes me grateful for the Holy Spirit that changes our hearts so we can love Him in return and be faithful in His strength and power and grace. Otherwise, it would just be depressing.
Thanks for sharing!
Janeen Ippolito says
Hosea and Gomer’s story breaks my heart every time I even think about it. It’s such a vivid picture of God’s redeeming love and horribly humbling–but also makes me grateful for the Holy Spirit that changes our hearts so we can love Him in return and be faithful in His strength and power and grace. Otherwise, it would just be depressing.
Thanks for sharing!
vernabowman says
It is a vivid picture that reveals the broken-heart of God. Thank you for your visit, Janeen, I’ve missed you 🙂
vernabowman says
It is a vivid picture that reveals the broken-heart of God. Thank you for your visit, Janeen, I’ve missed you 🙂