Hosea 3

Chapter 3



1 Then said the LORD unto me, ‘Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.’

Hosea had every right by any standard to divorce Gomer. But he still loved her and on God’s command he bought her back.

2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

God also bought back His wayward wife. He paid at Calvary.

3 And I said unto her, ‘Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

Hosea is just wanting a faithful wife to keep to himself. This is all God wants too; a people for Himself.

4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:

God is still going to punish Israel for her unfaithfulness.

5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

After the captivity Israel did seek God, but unfortunately in a self-righteous manner. They were still into self-worship. At the time of Christ however, tens of thousands of Jews sought and found God by recognizing their King, the Son of David, Jesus.

The “latter days” are the last days of the Jewish nation.