Hosea: Gomer

             Gomer was a girl with a reputation. We aren’t told if she was a working prostitution or just a promiscuous young woman when she met Hosea. With the life she was leading how surprised or perhaps confused would Gomer have had to have been when instead of propositioning her, Hosea asked for her hand in marriage. Gomer’s father would certainly have agreed to the marriage to remove the blot of embarrassment from his family name.

            Although Hosea loved his wife, it would seem that Gomer was unsure regarding how she should feel about her husband. There’s no indication that she loved him, certainly not the way he loved her. She bore three children; two boys and a girl. Sadly though, Hosea had no way of knowing if they were his children or not. In spite of this he took them as his own. God gave Hosea the names that he was to give them: the first was a son who was to be called ‘Jezreel’^[1], the second child was a female who was to be called ‘Lo-ruhamah’^[2], and the third child was a son who was to be called ‘Lo-ammi’^[3].

            With all this happening in unfaithful Gomer’s live, we are left wondering how she felt about all that had transpired. We’ll never know though because scripture never reveals her thoughts or feelings. As a matter of fact she isn’t mentioned by name again after chapter 2. Hosea’s marriage to Gomer is a thinly veiled version of any believers story ... a sinner who is offered overwhelming grace.

 

*          Though we aren’t told, there is a chance that Gomer may have traded her shameful past for a faithful future due to Hosea’s sacrificial love for her.

 

*          Unfaithfulness damages our personal integrity but doesn’t prevent someone else from loving us in spite of our failure(s).

 

*          Isn’t it astounding how committed God’s love for His creation is even though He knows our propensity to disobey Him?

 

            Tomorrow we’ll take a dive in the relevant topic of ‘Spiritual Unfaithfulness’ which is represented in Hosea. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

[1] Jezreel - “And the Lord said, “Name the child Jezreel, for I am about to punish King Jehu’s dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel. In fact, I will bring an end to Israel’s independence. I will break its military power in the Jezreel Valley.” (Hosea 1:4-5)

[2] Lo-ruhamah - “Soon Gomer became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. And the Lord said to Hosea, “Name your daughter Lo-ruhamah—‘Not loved’—for I will no longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them.” (Hosea 1:6)

[3] Lo-ammi - “After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she again became pregnant and gave birth to a second son. And the Lord said, Name him Lo-ammi—‘Not my people’—for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God.” (Hosea 1:8-9)