Devo: Hosea 3

When I first read this chapter, I couldn’t quite comprehend why God commanded Hosea to return to his unfaithful wife, Gomer. Why would God tell Hosea to “love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery”?

But then it also says in verse 1 that it’s just like the love of God for the Israelites who worship other gods. Then it made sense to me. If God would “divorce” us or disown us when our hearts lean away from Him and to idols, what a waste we will be. Thank God for His grace and mercy.

I also learned that God will never go against His Word. God hates divorce. If God commanded Hosea to divorce his wife because of adultery, He we would oppose Himself.

It also shows that love is a decision and not just a romantic feeling that ebbs and flows. Marriage is a commitment and must be worked out daily. I may not have the right to talk about marriage because I have not been married long enough, but when God says He hates divorce, I believe He means it, and we are to honor His Word.

I like what I read from enduringword.com about this chapter:

“This also shows us an important principle about love: Hosea is directed to love, even when it must have been hard to love. We are filled with many romantic illusions about love, and one of these illusions is that love has very little to do with our will – we are just ‘captured’ by love and follow whatever course it leads. But in principle, the Scriptures show us another way: That love is largely a matter of the will, and when we direct ourselves to love someone God tells us we must love, it can and will happen. This is why ‘We’re not in love anymore’ isn’t valid grounds for a bad relationship or divorce. It assumes that love is something beyond or outside of our will.” – enduringword.com

This chapter represents God’s relationship with us. God continues to love us despite our unfaithfulness. Nowadays, a slight offense leads us to cutting the relationship. The term “cancel culture” has become the trend. Just one mistake and we’re done. There is no more forgiveness and second chance. But God is not like that to us, thankfully. Where will we be without God? Without the Lord, I’m done. I need Him in my life. I need Him every second of my life.

I also wanted to know what Homer meant by saying “So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley.” I didn’t understand why he had to buy his wife because she was his wife!

“But as a display of love and commitment, he went the ‘extra mile,’ beyond what was expected or even reasonable. In providing this way for his own wife, Hosea also showed her: “I can give you what the others can. You don’t need them. Let me show you how I can provide for your needs.” – enduringword.com

That is so sweet. 😭🫠 Who wouldn’t love someone like that? If I were Gomer, I would be ashamed of my sins. I don’t deserve that kind of love. However, I would also be grateful. Gomer did nothing but hurt her husband and yet, he was still willing to go the extra mile to restore their relationship.

The purpose was not just to buy her but to have a relationship with her. It’s similar to what Jesus did on the cross. He bought us to take our sins away by paying it with His blood. His blood was the payment!