Hosea 3

Written By Jodi Figgins

Read Hosea 3

Helpful Background Information: 

  • Hosea 3 is one of the most stunning pictures of God’s faithful love in the Old Testament. God tells the prophet Hosea to go and love his wife, Gomer, even though she has been unfaithful and left him for other lovers. Hosea obeys, buying her back at a great cost and restoring her to himself. This act was prophetic. Hosea’s marriage symbolized God’s relationship with Israel, who had turned to idols and broken their covenant with Him. Yet, instead of abandoning His people, God chose to love them again.

  • This story beautifully parallels the gospel. Just as Hosea redeems his unfaithful wife, Jesus redeems His people, the Church. In Ephesians 5, Paul draws on this same pattern of redeeming love. Christ loves His bride even when she is undeserving. In the same way, Christian marriage calls husbands and wives to mirror that kind of steadfast love, Christian marriages are called to choose forgiveness, restoration, and faithfulness even when it’s costly.

Reflection Questions: 

  • In what ways does this story challenge our culture’s idea that love should only continue when the other person “deserves” it?

  • How might God use difficult seasons in marriage (or any relationship) to teach us more about His own steadfast love?

  • How can remembering God’s mercy toward you help you extend forgiveness and grace toward others?

  • God told Hosea to “love her as the Lord loves the Israelites.” What does that say about how God feels toward His people, even after their failures?

Jodi Figgins
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Ephesians 5:21-33