Gomer: a story of unfaithfulness, redemption and love

Gomer is known in the Bible as the unfaithful wife of the prophet Hosea. We don’t hear from her in Scriptures. We only know of her actions. After she married Hosea, she carried on numerous affairs. She would give gifts to her lovers than were gifted to her by Hosea. She is the symbol of spiritual adultery. A picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. However, Hosea continued to love her despite her unfaithfulness. She is more than just an unfaithful wife. She is an illustration of the redeeming love that God has for us despite our unfaithfulness. What’s her story? What is a redeeming love? How is she an illustration? 

Hosea was a prophet. An important man in Israel. He was the mouthpiece of God to His people. He would be the man to steer the nation with his prophecies; but, he couldn’t control his wife. God had instructed Hosea to take Gomer as his wife and love her as God loved Israel. Many scholars believed that Gomer was faithful in the beginning. Hosea 1:3 says that Gomer bore Hosea a son. However, in verses 6 and 8, Gomer has two more children. However, Hosea’s name is not mentioned. It has led scholars to believe that the last two children were not Hosea’s biological children but the children of her lovers. Sometime after the birth of her first child, she became unfaithful. When Gomer is mentioned again in Hosea 3, Hosea is instructed to buy her back. The Bible doesn’t say why she had to be bought back. Two possibilities is that she sold herself into prostitution or she was another man’s mistress. But he pays and he brings her home. 

A redeeming love is a love that frees someone from a burden. Hosea redeemed Gomer from the burden of being a prostitute or another man’s mistress. God has redeemed us from sin through His Son, Jesus Christ. God loves us and remains faithful even when we are not. He waits with open arms for us to repent and turn back to Him. God remains faithful at all times. When we get busy and put others before Him. Whether it is work, family responsibilities, and even our church and charitable obligations. Like many people, I am prone to pay attention to what needs my immediate attention and push, even unwittingly, aside my time with God. But He always welcomes me back with open arms and forgiveness for my inattentiveness. I try to do my best but I’m not perfect. I will never be perfect. I will fall from time to time but God will be there to help me up when I do. He will let me try again. You may think you are too far gone for help. But you are not. He is there waiting. He will welcome you back and let you try again. 

Gomer becomes an illustration for us. A person who seeks other pleasures and desires, turning from the One who remained lovingly faithful. Like Hosea, with every reason to cut ties with Gomer, God could have walked away from us. Leaving us to our choices and consequences. But God doesn’t walk away from us. He is not asking for perfection. He is asking for consistency, regular meetings. A prayer as you head to work, before a meal, and even before bed. You can pray whenever and wherever you want. A quick “Help me, Lord” in a moment of frustration or a stressful situation counts and He will hear. One of my favorite quiet times is bedtime as I lay my youngest daughter down to sleep, I pray. I pray for my shortcomings as a mom, a wife, and an overall person. I pray for my daughters and their successes and struggles. I pray for my husband as he prepares to rest and face work the next day. I pray in thankfulness for God’s love and mercy. I pray for this continued help as I live this life that He has given me. No fancy words needed, just words from your heart. 

In conclusion, Gomer was a woman who was unfaithful. She turned from her husband who loved her. She is later redeemed when she deserved to be left behind. God doesn’t want to leave us behind. He wants to love us and provide for us. We just need to come to Him. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, we are redeemed. Hosea redeems Gomer with valuables but we are redeemed through the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-19). Many people would focus on the fact that Hosea was forced to marry Gomer, a prostitute; however, they miss the most important picture. Gomer’s story is a story of redemption and love.