It seems that Gomer was being auctioned off as a slave. She had become trapped because of her sinfulness.
“So I bought her for fifteen shekelsof silver and about a homer and a halfof barley.” (Hosea 3 v 2)
The Message: “I did it. I paid good money to get her back. It cost me the price of a slave.”
Gomer had fallen into slavery. Isn’t that what prostitution is or becomes? There is no depth to how far men and women can fall. The shame and suffering knows no end. I have seen this slavery from the pain of the victim. The freedom when it comes is immense.
A quick google search of how much Hosea paid to get Gomer back amounts to 30 shekels which within Scriptures like Exodus 21:32 becomes the price of a slave.
Recorded accurately Hosea paid 15 shekels in cash and 15 shekels in bread. He didn’t have the whole 30 shekels in cash. Can you see what he did? Having counted all his cash he didn’t have enough. So he uses food to make up the difference. Can you see it? He turned out his cupboards. Hosea basically emptied himself of everything in order to purchase Gomer. Sound familiar?
Gomer was worth more to him than everything he had.
Love costs.
Hosea purchased Gomer with the amount that Judas betrayed Jesus who gave his life to purchase us.
Isn’t that simply an amazing God-connection?
Missions Paul 