It seems crazy that God would instruct one of His prophets to marry a whore, just to demonstrate what [our] unfaithfulness looks like. But He did. He told Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute. Why would He do that? It’s vile. To a man, it strikes at the very heart of his identity and self-worth. For a wife to violate her commitments, promises, and vows to her husband this way is beyond betrayal; beyond rejection. It pierces the core of his being. It says he isn’t enough. She accuses, “You talk big . . . but never deliver. You make all these grand promises, but they’re nothing compared to what I can find on my own! My OTHER lovers will finally give me what I really want and deserve.”
And that is just the point, isn’t it? We – I – have said He isn’t enough. No matter how good He’s been to us, we still want more. No matter how He’s led and protected and prospered and caressed; it wasn’t enough. Still, we want, think we’re entitled to, more. Always more and never enough. Always looking out the window at what we think we don’t have; forgetting to recognize and celebrate what He’s already given. Always accusing, even if silently.
Our actions and my choices have trumpeted our true thoughts and desires. Even today, just like the days of Hosea and Gomer, Your people have treated You like Gomer treated Hosea.
It may be tough to do, but I have to consider the reality of my own life. It’s hard to self-examine. It’s hard to look in the mirror and see; especially when it’s not Hosea looking back at me.
I’m Gomer. And repentance begins with me. Lord, I’m so sorry . . .