Hosea and Gomer: a story of our relationship with God

Today, in combined Young Men’s and Women’s, we studied the book of Hosea and his recorded marriage with Gomer (Hosea 1 and Hosea 2). This record starts off with God commanding Hosea to marry Gomer. According to the Old Testament, Gomer was a woman of whoredoms and Hosea was a prophet. The instructor asked the youth to read verses from Hosea 1 and Hosea 2. After the readings, the teacher asked the youth to list out characteristics of Gomer. These are a few of the characteristics they listed:

  • Selfish
  • Cheating
  • Short-sighted
  • Disobedient
  • Unloyal
  • Unkind
  • Forgetful

Then the youth were asked to list characteristics of Hosea. Here were some of the characteristics the youth identified:

  • Selfless
  • Serving
  • Loving
  • End in Mind attitude
  • Loyal
  • Kind
  • Forgiving

As we continued to read the account in the Old Testament, we learned that this marriage was an example of our relationship with God.

This really hit me pretty hard - especially as a recovering addict. Was this really how my relationship has been with God? I looked back and I realized that this is a great example of my relationship with God. I had turned my back on God. I had chosen my addiction over Him countless times. I was willing to give up everything God had promised me because I was choosing my addiction over God. It was a great wake-up call.

Before I fell into a great pit of despair, we read the final part of the story of Hosea and Gomer. God forgave His children because He loved them. When they returned, He lovingly welcomes them back as if they never left. It truly is how Isaiah wrote: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

God loves His children. He will never turn them away. As we turn and return to Him, He is always going to welcome us back with loving arms wide open!

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