Bought Back

The Story

God gave the prophet Hosea one of the hardest assignments in the Bible. He told him to marry a woman named Gomer, knowing she would be unfaithful to him. Hosea’s marriage would become a living picture of how Israel had treated God.

Hosea married Gomer, and they had children. But just as God had said, Gomer left him for other lovers. Over time, her life fell apart. She ended up so low that she was being sold, like a slave.

Then God told Hosea something even harder. “Go yet, love a woman… according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel.” Go get her back.

So Hosea did. He bought his own wife back for fifteen pieces of silver and some barley. He brought her home and told her, in effect, you are mine, and I am yours.

Through Hosea, God spoke to His people, who had chased after other gods again and again. He told them He still loved them. “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely.” He promised that one day they would return, and He would make them blossom like a lily.

Reflection