Hosea was a prophet who ministered from 750-715BC. Widely known as the “Deathbed Prophet”, Hosea was speaking to the people right before and during the time when the Kingdom of Israel divided. God called Hosea to take a prostitute as a wife to mirror the picture of God and His people of Israel. Israel was going after pagan gods. They prsotituted their allegiance to God. They believed that The baal weather god gave rain for their crops if they went to the Temple to and had relations with a Temple prostitute. Even in this twisted time of Israel, God loved His people.

In Hosea 1:3 we see that Hosea married Gomer (whose name means “completion”). She bore him a son, called Jezreel (Scattered). She went on to bear two more sons (the text implies that they were not the sons of Hosea), and they were called Lo-Ruhamah (Not Loved) and Lo-Ammi (Not My People).

In Ch. 3, Hosea redeems Gomer. He set her free from bondage by following the law found in Exodus which says that he must pay 30 shekels for her freedom. This bride price is a picture of Ephesians 5 where husbands are to love their wives sacrificially. Hosea and Gomer show us that God is faithful, and it gives us a chance to live out the fruit of faithfulness. God is relentless in His love for us! It’s not about our performance, it’s about His character.

1. Do you have an idol in your life (obvious or not obvious) that you believe will “make things right”? Have you pursued anything that you believe “makes life good”? What is it?

2. The people of Israel had become so twisted in their understanding of God (as seen with the Temple prostitutes). Is there a place where you are in darkness? Ask God to forgive you and thank Him for His relentless love.