Hosea 3

Hosea is telling the story from his point of view. Go again. Love. Raisin cakes=a delicacy (like chocolate), not a cake with raisins, but actually raisins pressed into a shape. A sign of luxury, also known to be offered as gifts to foreign gods. 15 shekels of silver=3 months wages. 40 gallons of barley=15 shekels of silvers. The life of a slave was valued at 30 shekels. (Exodus 21:32) 30 shekels of silver=the amount Judas was paid for turning Jesus over  Gomer possibly went back into prostitution or was enslaved because of debt. She had given up the protection and safety of her husband, the spiritual leadership of her husband, and the provision of her husband.

According to Numbers 5:11-18, the barley that Hosea brought is an offering of jealousy for an unfaithful wife, approximately 120 times more than was required! It brings to mind the verse that says “The gift is not like the trespass...” Romans 5:15. Hosea did not NEED to buy Gomer back; she was his wife, he could have claimed what was rightfully his. But he pays the price, redeeming and restoring her to their marriage. Since their marriage is a mirror into the prophecy of God and Israel..we see the Israelites behaving the same way, running away from God and God buying them back. Gomer dwells with Hosea “many days” with conditions. Israel dwells with God for “many days” with conditions. Until later, it’s hinted that Gomer willingly returns to her husband and seeks after him; and Israel willingly returns and seeks the Lord their God. God restores intimacy in His goodness.

This chapter changes me by its theme—pursuit. God did not NEED to buy me back, I’m His creation, I bear His image. But I’d given myself over to a situation I could not escape. So God paid the price. Just as Hosea pursues Gomer and redeems her, buys her back and restores her, so God pursues His beloved people Israel, buys them back and restores them. As the people under a new covenant, God pursues us through the life of Christ, He buys us back through the blood of Christ, and restores us through the resurrection of Christ. “My sin was great, Your love was greater!”