For many of you older readers, your first mental picture after reading the title was the face of Gomer Pyle, USMC. I must admit that when I hear the name Gomer that face is on the big screen of my mind. However, the Gomer for today’s blast is from the Bible. The book of Hosea is the first book of what is called the “minor prophets.” These books, twelve, are not less inspired. They are simply shorter books when compared to the “major prophets” such as Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Hosea is called the “death-bed” prophet because he prophesied only a few short years before the Assyrian’s would roll into the northern half of Israel and conquer it. The date for the fall of the northern kingdom is 722 BC. The book is a love story, at least from the actions of Hosea. The actions of Gomer are a whole different story. Often in the Bible, metaphors are used to drive home certain points. The Old Testament prophets compared the idolatry of Israel to the adultery of a woman or man. I think it is accurate to say that God looks at unfaithfulness the same way that a wronged spouse looks at their situation.
I think Hosea was excited when the Lord told him he was going to marry. Then he did a double take when the Lord told him he was to marry a wife of whoredoms. He is a forgiving type of man and probably thinks her old ways are behind her. It’s not long and she is pregnant. “If it’s a boy perhaps we’ll name him Bar-Hosea.” But, God says to name him Jezreel, which means “God scatters.” The weeks roll by, and Gomer is spending a lot of time at the market. Then she begins to leave Jezreel home with Hosea as she heads off to the market. A few months have now passed, and Gomer tells Hosea she is pregnant again. Hosea isn’t even sure the child is his and God tells him to name the baby Lo-ruhamah, which means “no mercy, unloved.” When the weaning of this child takes place, off she goes again and for a third time she is pregnant. Hosea knows this baby isn’t his. God commands the name to be Lo-Ammi, which means “no kin, no son of mine, not my people.”
The allures of the world were rooted deeply in her heart. Every opportunity she would leave Hosea with the kids and be gone for weeks at a time. What was this man to do? I know what most of us would do. We would say hit the road; I’m done with you. But is that what Hosea did? No, he still loved her despite her unfaithfulness. Gomer had gone so far into sin that she was being sold as a slave in the center of the marketplace. She is on the sale block, mostly naked as the auctioneer is asking for bids. Hosea steps up and buys her, redeeming her, and bringing her back to him one more time.
Do you understand that kind of love? I have heard people say things like, “If that happened to me, I’d never take her back. I wouldn’t give her the time of day. I don’t care what happens now after she’s done something like this.” People say things like that because they are hurt, and the pain is deep. I understand those sentiments, but I want you to remember something about this story. This real man and woman with this real-life story is a picture of us. How? Hosea is a picture of God and Gomer is a picture of me and you. We are all Gomer. Before we get too critical of this woman let’s look into a mirror with honesty. Are we faithful to the Lord? Every day is a proving ground for our fidelity. Do the allures of the world pull us away for long periods of time? Do the lusts of the flesh keep us chasing the shiny objects Satan places in our paths? May we always remember that in the story of Hosea we are like Gomer and God, just like Hosea, redeems us and restores us time and time again if we repent.