![]() ![]() Hosea lived in the northern kingdom, and God chose Him to live a life which illustrated the relationship between Israel and Himself. Eventually, Judah and Israel separated, becoming two separate kingdoms, which had their own prophets. Theologians generally pinpoint this event as the reason that polytheism became more widely practiced in Israel. The marriage would serve as a symbol for the relationship between God and His people.Īfter King David’s death, his son Solomon married hundreds of women from cultures all over the region, who worshipped many false gods. Under the Lord’s guidance, Hosea married Gomer, a woman he knew would commit adultery. Marriage was instituted to be a lifelong promise between a man and a woman to be faithful, and to help one another. God made a covenant relationship with Israel, promising to bless and protect them if they follow Him, worshipping only the one, true God. ![]() Both are stories of covenant relationships which get violated and then restored. There is the story of Hosea, Gomer, and their children, and there is the story of God and Israel. The Book of Hosea can be broken up into two thematic sections. ![]() What Happens in Story fo Hosea and Gomer? Hosea’s life and ministry serve not only as prophecy for Israel at that time, but as a reminder today about the consequences of choice, the power of forgiveness, and the importance of virtue. Why would God want Hosea to marry Gomer? What is the greater plan? Moreover, God used Hosea’s own life as a symbol for this relationship through the prophet’s marriage to Gomer, who would be unfaithful to him. This book prophecies the results of the Israelites turning to other gods, the separation of their nation from the one true God, the subsequent disastrous results, and the eventual reconciliation. One of these minor prophets to Israel, most likely near Samaria in the north, was Hosea, whose ministry was before the exile to Babylon. ![]()
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