Gomer has had many lovers but Hosea went again, he loved her again, he purchased her and brought her home.
Remember this verse? “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19
What a wonderful story!
But we need to understand that there is a time of waiting before we move into the next season. It can never be business as usual. Hosea tells Gomer this.
“Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.” For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods.” (Hosea 3 v 3-4)
Lessons need to be learned.
How do I become a faithful wife to a loving husband?
How do we not wander off to other idols and gods but worship only the One True God?
The circumstances of life may not change. It may be as tough as ever but We have been bought and we belong to Him.
Walk out what God has done.
There is a day between the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Many around the world use the day to fast (except the Mexicans who call it Judas Day and burn effigies of him throughout their nation!). The fast is not sombre like Lent. It is one of excitement of what is to come, but it is preparation for it.
God shows us by applying what Hosea said to Gomer to Him and His people. They will not have a king and they will not go back to the celebrations and sacrifices to their God. There will be a period of ‘many days’ where Gomer will have Hosea’s presence and Israel will have God’s presence. And that is enough.
Learn from your mistakes is one of the most important periods of our lives.
What did I learn about myself?
How could I have responded better?
What do I need to do so that it doesn’t happen again?
That’s what it means ‘to live with me’.
Missions Paul 