I recently read the story of a man that had been abandoned by his wife. She left her husband, her children, her home to be with other men.  She said, to herself, “I can now live in a world of luxury”.

I can now have all the “good” things life has to offer: money, clothes, parties, literally an unrestrained lifestyle.”

For years she has lived her life this way.  Then—her health began to falter, her physical attraction diminished. In her circle of friends/lovers she was now being rejected.  Because she is known, no man wants her.  Eventually this attractive, wife and mother is put on the auction block to be sold as a slave to the highest bidder.

See her standing there, head bowed in hopelessness and shame.  A group of men stand round about her. They know who and what she is.  One can only imagine what’s going through her mind as she hears their coarse comments.

Suddenly, there is silence!  The circle of men parts, and through it strides another man.  This man is somehow, different.  He walks with confidence and dignity. As the man comes closer to the woman, a whisper begins around the circle; “Isn’t that so and so”. “Wasn’t he her husband.?”

When the woman hears, “her husband”, a horrible fear now begins to grip her.  She thinks to herself, “did he come to mock me?  to shame me? to remind me of the love I rejected? That indeed would be poetic justice, however Hosea isn’t here to seek revenge.  He has no ill will towards her.  He comes when no one will have her. Now that sin is finished with her, he buys her back, takes her home, and loves her again as his beloved wife.  Read Hosea chapters 1-3.

Gomer is symbolic of Israel of yesteryear, she is symbolic of us today!

Hosea is symbolic of Jesus Christ then and now. 

Can you imagine what the outcome would be if we the people of God would truly turn back to God “with all of our heart, soul, our might, and with all of our being?”

Joel 2:12  Also now, saith the LORD turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning

The lesson in the life of Hosea and Gomer gives us hope for Brothers, Sisters, Sons and Daughters, that may have acted like Gomer.  Do not give up on God’s ability to draw them back.  The Church of God has “Gomer-like” members, they are singing, eating and praying with us in many local congregations, and at many of the various Feast of Tabernacles sites nationally and internationally. Thank God for restoring them.

All of these promises of God comes with a condition:  (II Chronicles 7:14-15)  “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. Now my eyes shall be open and my ears attentive unto the prayer that is made in this place.