The Prophet Who Marries a Prostitute
God speaks to Hosea, son of Beeri. The Almighty calls the young man to be his prophet. In a shocking move, however, God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute.
God doesn’t tell Hosea which prostitute to marry. Hosea gets to choose. We don’t know his selection criteria, but he picks Gomer. They marry, but they don’t have a happy life as husband and wife.
They have a son. Then Gomer has two more children, but the subtext suggests Hosea doubts he’s their father.
God prompts Hosea to use his relationship with Gomer and her illegitimate offspring as sermon illustrations in his scathing rebuke against the nations of Israel and Judah for their unfaithfulness to God.
This may embarrass Gomer, or maybe she’s bored. Regardless, she runs off and takes up with another lover.
Yet God tells Hosea to go after her and bring her home. Hosea finds Gomer. He must buy her back, that is, he redeems her. Then he tells her to stop running around, to be faithful to only him.
In doing so he offers her undeserved love and even accepts her two kids who were likely fathered by other men.
Hosea married Gomer even though she was undeserving. And he offered her redeeming love when she ran away.
So it is with God and us.
How willing are we to obey God when he tells us to do something outrageous?
What if it’s something we don’t want to do or is painful?
[Read about Hosea in Hosea 1–3. Discover more in Romans 9:25–26.]
Learn about 100 more biblical characters in More Old Testament Sinners and Saints, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Get your copy today.
More Old Testament Sinners and Saints is part of the Bible Character Sketches series.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.