Hosea 3 Study Notes

3:1 Even though Gomer, like Israel, had joined herself to another man (lit “a neighbor”; cp. Dt 5:21; Jr 3:1,20) and so committed adultery, Hosea was told to take her back. She is called a woman rather than “your wife” because she had broken the covenant and had no claim on him. Like Hosea, God would show love to Israel even though she had forfeited her right to his love. Raisin cakes were apparently used in Canaanite religious rites, possibly as an aphrodisiac. With its four uses of the word love, this verse graphically depicts the foolishness of Israel’s attitude toward God. Their relationship was best portrayed by “a marriage that is to all appearances senseless and grotesque” (Alan Richardson). Gomer rejected Hosea’s genuine love of her for the selfish “love” of another man. In the same way, Israel preferred (“loved”) raisin cakes to the faithful love the Lord had for her.

3:2-3 Why Hosea had to buy Gomer is not stated. Perhaps she had sold herself to someone as a personal slave. Hosea’s instructions to Gomer probably mean they would refrain from conjugal relations for a time after she returned to him. Verses 4-5 compare this to Israel’s coming time of exile when they would be without ruler or worship. During this time the Lord would be expecting Israel to seek him (5:15). The time would end “in the last days” when Israel would seek their messianic king (descended from David, 3:5) in repentance and faith (Is 11:1-10; Jr 23:5-6; 33:15-16; Mt 1:1; 21:9; Rm 11:23). It is apparently the same time that believing Israel will be reunited (Hs 1:11).

3:4-5 This prophesies the exile and restoration and even the last days when Israel is led by their Messiah.