Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”
So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.”
For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.

• Hosea 3:1-5

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Hosea 1-3 ‘The Book of Hosea’: “Hosea is the only native northern Israelite among the writing prophets. Although active at the same time as Amos, Hosea’s message is quite different in its focus. Where Amos spoke about oppression, poverty, and injustice, Hosea speaks against the worship of the Canaanite deities, such as Baal and Asherah. These religions stressed rituals that were designed to promote the fertility of the land; among these rituals was sexual intercourse with official cult prostitutes.
“Prostitution, or harlotry, becomes a major theme in Hosea, partly through the prophet’s own family experience (Hos. 1–3). Israel is the bride of God, and once the marriage was happy (Hos. 2:14, 15; 11:1). By worshiping other gods, though, Israel has become a harlot. God alternately rages against His unfaithful wife and tenderly longs for reconciliation (6:4; 11:8, 9). The book ends with an impassioned appeal for Israel to ‘return’ and a promise that, if she will, then God will become the true fertility God to His wayward people.”

• Timothy B. Cargal, et al., The Chronological Study Bible

Hosea 3:1-5 ‘Introduction’: “We turn to a short story about Gomer’s restoration. Apparently, Gomer left Hosea. Her life descended to the point where she was auctioned for sale in a local marketplace. Here God gave Hosea the responsibility to buy back his own wife.”

• Jay McCluskey, A Long Walk with the Minor Prophets

Hosea 3:1-5 ‘God pursues His bride’: “We don’t know how long Hosea and Gomer had been married, yet she had obviously forsaken her marriage vows by this point. God directs Hosea to go again and show love to this woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress. How could God expect Hosea to pursue the wife who had betrayed him? Because the LORD loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods (3:1). So, despite his humiliation and pain, Hosea played the obedient kingdom man and paid to restore Gomer from whatever bondage she had sold herself into (3:2). He then brought her home again on the condition of faithfulness (3:3).
“Imagine the anguish of buying back your own wife who had willingly left you! Yet, in this action is a picture of the unfailing, persistent love of God. Moreover, it is what God does for us through Jesus Christ, who bought us-not with money-but with his own blood: ‘He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for him-self a people for his own possession, eager to do good works’ (Titus 2:14).
“Hosea was telling Israel that God was pursuing his people-his bride. Through his chastisement, they would experience loss and realize the worthlessness of idols (3:4). Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king (3:S). God’s love wins.”

• Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Hosea 3:1-3 ‘Hosea Rescues His Wife’: “Hosea’s second commission is to rescue Gomer from the slave market. After Gomer had given birth to her third child, she abandoned Hosea and began to seek the lovers she had known in relationships before her marriage to Hosea. Whereas before she was a prostitute, now she had become an adulteress. She had lost her appeal, and no one wanted her anymore. She had fallen into debt and had been sold into slavery. Hosea is now told to rescue her from the slave market, for she is ‘loved by her husband,’ Hosea. Hosea is commissioned to take Gomer back and love her still.
“The application is that God still loves Israel in spite of her loving other gods and in spite of her loving ‘raisin cakes’ (which were an erotic symbol [Song of Solomon 5:2] and used in the worship of idols Jeremiah 7:18; 44:19]). Hosea purchases Gomer for 15 pieces of silver plus one and one-half homers of barley, which is also equal to 15 pieces of silver. He purchases her back for the total price of 30 pieces of silver, the value of a dead slave (Exodus 21:32). When he brings her home, she is to be deprived of two things: She is no longer to ‘play the harlot,’ nor to play the wife. She would have no conjugal rights until there is complete restoration of love between the two, at which point the physical relationship will be restored.”

• Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson, Exploring Bible Prophecy

Hosea 3:1 ‘raisin cakes’: “God commanded Hosea to demonstrate in his marriage to Gomer the same kind of steadfast, redeeming love that he had for his idolatrous people Israel. ‘The sacred raisin cakes’ were sweetmeats made of pressed grapes, an integral part of worship in many Canaanite cultic festivals.”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Karen H. Jobes, Minor Prophets contributor)

Hosea 3:1 ‘Gomer runs away’: ”So Hosea acted on the basis of love. He probably watched from a distance to catch a glimpse of the woman he loved as she rushed out the door to take the groceries from this man’s arms-the gifts of Hosea’s own love.
“We don’t know how long this situation went on. But finally, word reached Hosea that the woman he loved was to be sold in the slave market. The man she lived with was tired of her and wanted to get some cash for her. The brokenhearted prophet wept before God…“

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Hosea 3:1 ‘Adultery – Unfaithfulness in Marriage’: “A theme running throughout Scripture is God’s intent for husbands and wives to be faithful to each other. Fidelity in marriage is God’s plan for his kingdom and God’s purpose for his children. Adultery—when a husband or wife willfully engages in sexual intercourse with someone other than the marriage partner—is prohibited (Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18). Many Old Testament regulations prescribed severe punishment for adultery (Lev 20:10; Dt 22:22). In the New Testament, Jesus condemned adultery (Mk 10:11–12; Lk 16:18), and Paul denounced it as one of the ‘acts of the flesh’ (Gal 5:19).
“Adulterers can receive God’s forgiveness (Jn 8:3–11) from extramarital sexual infidelity, which is an act of unfaithfulness. Believers are to practice faithfulness to God and in their personal relationships. A spouse who is able to forgive adulterous behavior on the part of a mate is encouraged to remain within a marriage. At the same time, in Scripture, adultery is regarded as such a severe breach of trust and fidelity that it is noted as permissible grounds for divorce (Mt 5:32).
“Jesus taught that adultery begins in the heart (Mt 5:27–28; 19:18–19) and is rooted in lust. Many a marriage has suffered greatly because of ‘emotional adultery,’ which Jesus taught was just as serious as sexual immorality.
“In part, adultery was dealt with so harshly in Scripture because it distorts one of God’s illustrations about himself and his intentions toward his creation. God wants to use the faithfulness between husband and wife to illustrate his faithfulness to his people. For this reason, adultery is likened to idolatry in the Old Testament. To commit adultery is to distort the very relationship God wants with those whom he loves.”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Karen H. Jobes, Minor Prophets contributor)

Hosea 3:2 ‘barley’: ”The measure of shekels here refers to a weight of silver, about 0.4 ounces, not coins. A ‘homer’ was a measure of cereal, roughly equal to about five bushels.”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Karen H. Jobes, Minor Prophets contributor)

Hosea 3:2 ‘bought her’: “Probably from a slave auction, Hosea purchased Gomer for 15 shekels of silver and 1 ½ homers of barley. Together, the total may have equaled 30 pieces of silver, the price paid for a common slave (cf. Ex. 21:32). Barley was the offering of one accused of adultery (Num. 5:15).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Hosea 3:3 ‘total commitment to God’s Way’: “The reciprocity in commitment is essential. Hosea directed Gomer to return home and resume her responsibilities as wife and mother, and he committed himself to remain faithful to her as his wife and only love. Forgiveness and restoration is possible only for one who is absolutely committed to going God’s way.”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Karen H. Jobes, Minor Prophets contributor)

Hosea 3:3 ‘Hosea buys his wife back’: ”We can picture the scene as Hosea goes to the marketplace. He sees his wife brought up and placed on the auction block. She is stripped and shamed before the crowd. The bidding begins. Somebody bids three pieces of silver and Hosea raises it to five. Somebody ups it to eight and Hosea bids ten. Somebody goes to eleven and Hosea bids twelve. Finally, Hosea offers fifteen pieces of silver and a bushel of barley. The auctioneer’s gavel bangs, and Hosea has redeemed his wife.
“He takes her down from the auction block, clothes her, and lovingly takes her home. Then we read one of the most tender and beautiful verses in the Bible…“

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Hosea 3:4-5 ‘Application to Israel, Wife of Jehovah’: “ Just as Gomer is to suffer deprivation (3:3), Israel is also to suffer (3:4). First, Israel will be deprived of civil authority-‘without king or prince.’ After the destruction by Babylon, Israel was deprived of a king and after the destruction by Rome, Israel was deprived of a prince. Second, Israel will be deprived of true worship-‘without sacrifice … and without ephod.’ The term ‘without sacrifice’ tells us Israel will be without the temple. The term ‘without ephod’ tells us Israel will be without the priesthood. Both of these have been true since the Roman destruction in A.D. 70. Third, Israel will be deprived of the false worship of idolatry-‘without … sacred pillar … or household idols.’ Israel will no longer worship false temple gods (sacred pillar) or household gods. This has been true since the Babylonian destruction in 586 B.C.
“The restoration of Israel (verse 5) will come ‘afterward’-that is, after a period of ‘many days’ (verse 4), Israel will be restored to her relationship as the wife of Jehovah. This verse transitions into the prophetic future. In that day, Israel will do three things. First, Israel will undergo a national regeneration and will again become the wife of Jehovah. Second, Israel will seek two persons: the first will be ‘the LORD their God,’ or more specifically, the Messiah, and the second will be ‘David their king,’ who will be the Messiah’s co-regent over Israel in the messianic kingdom. And third, Israel will be faithful to the Lord from then on. As a result of the nation’s faithfulness and obedience, the people will experience the material goodness of God and never be deprived of this goodness again.
“In summary, the kingdom and the nation are to be ‘scattered’ (Jezreel), ‘without mercy’ (Lo-ruhamah), and experientially ‘not God’s people’ (Lo-ammi). But in the future, they will be ‘sown’ to the Lord (Jezreel), become ‘God’s people’ (Ammi), and will ‘obtain mercy’ (Ruhamah).”

• Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson, Exploring Bible Prophecy

Hosea 3:4 ‘Gomer had to wait’: “The waiting period imposed on Gomer after Hosea bought her back is analogous to Israel’s coming exile. The ‘ephod’ was part of the garment worn by the high priest when he inquired of the Lord, whereas ‘household gods’ were used as a means of divination (see Ge 31:19, note).”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Karen H. Jobes, Minor Prophets contributor)

Hosea 3:4 ‘living without a king’: ”That prophecy is still being fulfilled today. The people of Israel have lived many days-indeed, many centuries-without a king. Ever since the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 at the hands of General Titus of Rome, Israel has been without a king or a prince, without anyone who has the undisputed right to rule over Israel. “

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Hosea 3:4 ‘Nuzi’: “Nuzi was an administrative center in the ancient land of Arraphe. It became prominent in the latter half of the 2nd millennium B.C. as part of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni. Over 3,500 cuneiform texts have been discovered at the site. These texts, written in a Hurrian style of Accadian, illuminate many social, legal, and religious customs of northern Mesopotamia around the 15th century B.C. …
“The Nuzi texts reveal that household gods, called teraphim (Hos. 3:4), were a significant part of family life. Possession of these small household deities implied headship of the family. In the traditional line of inheritance, the eldest son normally received the family gods, as well as the largest share of the family property. Property inheritance possibly explains Rachel’s stealing of her father Laban’s household gods (Gen. 31:19).”

• Timothy B. Cargal, et al., The Chronological Study Bible

Hosea 3:5 ‘childlike awe, with no trace of fear’: “In this childlike awe is not an atom of that fear which signifies being afraid. We who believe in Jesus are not afraid of our Father; God forbid that we ever should be. The nearer we can get to him, the happier we are. Our highest wish is to be forever with him and to be lost in him. But still we pray that we may not grieve him. We ask him to keep us from turning aside from him. We ask for his tender pity toward our infirmities and plead with him to forgive us and to deal graciously with us for his dear Son’s sake. As loving children we feel holy awe and reverence as we realize our relationship to him who is our Father in heaven.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Hosea 3:5 ‘the last days’: “The northern kingdom, under their own king (1Ki 12:20) and with their own centers for worship (1Ki 12:28–29), was in rebellion against the Davidic covenant (2Sa 7:1–16; see 1Ch 17:7–12). Christian and Jewish scholars interpret this as a reference to the Messiah since David had long been dead at the time of this prophecy. The ‘last days’ refers to the messianic era.”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Karen H. Jobes, Minor Prophets contributor)

Hosea 3:5 ‘a King will again be on the throne’: ” \God said that they would live many days without a sacrifice, and since the destruction of the temple there has never been a sacrifice in Israel, nor an ephod or idol. God predicted that they would live exactly as we see the nation of Israel living today: as a religious people but without giving themselves to idols. Then, after these days are ended, something exciting will happen…“

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

My Thoughts

In this short chapter, Gomer had left Hosea. She returned to her wanton lifestyle, but now instead of being a prostitute, she is an adulteress.  While this is a distinction by definition of the offense, both are sexual misconduct.

In the scholarly quotes, there is a lot of speculation.  After three children, Gomer may not have kept her figure, but nothing is said of a slave auction.  It could be that the man who had bought her as his sexual partner demanded payment for her to go back to her husband.

More than one scholar spoke of the barley equal to 15 shekels of silver, and that would make 30 pieces of silver combined.  None of the scholars pointed to the price to Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus.  This may be due to the lack of a parallel in the lesson.  Judas betrayed, but it cost Hosea the same price to redeem Gomer.  Somehow, I think someone could weave a sermon around that.

But the point here is that God still loves Israel and they will have a remnant that will be purchased and brought back.  But those that return will have to make a choice.  They will not be brought back fully until they repent of their old life and accept God’s will, similar to the waiting period that Gomer had to endure when she returned home.

The Israelites will live without the trappings of the Old Testament sacrifices, but also without the things of their false god worship, until a Son from the line of David sits again on the throne.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

Hosea 3 1. When did God ‘buy’ you back to himself? How so?“

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Hosea 3 has one question.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

If you like these Thursday morning Bible studies, but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Thursday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.