God wants us to see how deep the Father’s love is for every one of us. No one is beyond his perfect love. The story of Hosea and Gomer demonstrates the unending, faithful and enduring love that God has for all of us, even in our faithlessness.
In this life, we are constantly in pursuit of someone or something – whether that be a relationship, a career, popularity or wealth. Even when we’re not aware of it, this pursuit often drives our behaviour, our thoughts and our actions. These things can turn into idols, leading us to focus on them, rather than our relationship with God. Yet, despite our faithlessness, God remains faithful. Of course, we must pursue God in every aspect of our life but how often do we actually think of how God is relentlessly pursuing us?
The book of Hosea shares the story of Hosea relentlessly pursuing Gomer, refusing to give up on her even when she is unfaithful. Hosea provides an outstanding example of the kind of love that is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:7
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
Perhaps, God is showing us through Hosea the heartbreak and pain of infidelity that he himself feels when we are unfaithful to Him. I think it’s important to be reminded of this, so that we can truly appreciate the value and worth that God places on us as individuals. I think it’s also important to recognise that this story is by no means a perfect fairy-tale, but rather a story filled with brokenness and wreckage with a loving and gracious God who prevails over all. Though we judge Gomer, a prostitute, and deny that we too are just as sinful as she; she provides an example of the unfaithfulness that is evident in every one of our hearts. Gomer was ceaselessly running away from God, she ran because she did not believe that she was worthy of love. When the image we have of ourselves becomes distorted, the way we view and relate to God changes. Gomer could not see the worth in herself so could not fathom the reality of someone loving her regardless of her sin and brokenness. How often do we feel this way in our relationship with God? I know that I sometimes wonder how a perfect and sinless God would care so much for a broken sinful person like me. Yet, right from the beginning of Scripture we are told how we have been created in God’s own image, according to his likeness (Genesis 1:26).
So, what can we learn about our relationship with God through the story of Hosea and Gomer? I think we can catch a glimpse of the heart of God. God wants us to see how deep the Father’s love is for every one of us. No one is beyond his perfect love. The story of Hosea and Gomer demonstrates the unending, faithful and enduring love that God has for all of us, even in our faithlessness. Just as Hosea pursued Gomer, God is relentlessly pursuing us every day of our lives. He loves us far too much to leave us drowning in our brokenness. When we wonder in amazement at how Hosea could still love and pursue Gomer, we must too be reminded of how much greater the love our heavenly Father has for us is. Not only does this story provide an example of God’s perfect love towards his people, but it also provides a beautiful example of God’s grace and forgiveness. How often do we reflect on past mistakes and conclude “I’m not good enough, I don’t deserve God’s forgiveness?” Yet, I think God uses the illustration of Hosea forgiving Gomer to reflect the desire he has to make us His, to be in relationship with Him, to be in communion with Him for all our days. Just as Gomer did to Hosea, we have rejected God, we have abandoned Him and we have put other “gods” before Him; yet how wonderful to know that God still chases after us. We have been restored through Christ. Please know that no matter where you are, what you’ve been through or what choices you’ve made, God has promised to never leave you nor stop loving you.
Just as Hosea knew when he was instructed by God to marry a soon-to-be unfaithful wife, God chose to die on the cross for us, knowing everything about us, that we would be unfaithful to Him and that we would mock and scorn Him. Yet, he still chose to love us in spite of what He has always known. So, what direction are you running: from God or to God? I encourage you to intentionally set aside some time to read the book of Hosea and be encouraged through this powerful story of relentless pursuit and redemptive love.
By Claire Acheson.
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