Suffering: Adultery, Like Hosea 

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV)

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4 (ESV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 (ESV)

If outsiders read Hosea's story (without understanding the symbolism), they’d have all kinds of comments and questions:

  • “He's a quack to love a girl like Gomer. He was inviting trouble– and it came!”

  • “Poor guy. Who knows if his kids were his kids? Did he think he could change someone like that?!”

  • “Why didn’t he divorce her straight away? He was setting himself up for sorrow.”

Nevertheless, God said to Hosea: ‘Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry’ (Hosea 1:2).

So the prophet found Gomer and loved her. But Gomer's bad habits DID re-emerge. Like an old sleazy talk show episode, her children's paternity was doubted– AND after child #3, Gomer left.

She fled into the arms of someone else: an evil man who enslaved or sold her. Even so, Hosea forgave Gomer. He looked beyond the suffering she caused and repurchased his wife from Satan's grip.

Therein, Hosea's love was triumphant: a metaphor of GOD’S REDEEMING LOVE!

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

If you've felt the sting of adultery as a victim or regretful partner, then you're like Hosea, Gomer, or both! 

  • Hosea felt a loved one’s faithlessness.

  • Gomer felt trapped by lust, guilt, and bondage.

If Hosea represents Christ, our Husband, and Homer represents us, His betrothed, then the Almighty has endured our lust… in everything we've put ahead of Him.

Even so, God still wants us and seeks us. Even more, He forgives us graciously, and MIRACULOUSLY, Christ redeemed us! The story of Hosea set the stage.

If the world now lusts for entertainment, if many in the church lust for it, too, then show them God's ceaseless love and mercy. Seek the wandering sheep and lead them home.

Suffering: Adultery, like Hosea (Part 32)

* Short article, Book of Hosea: Summary of the Book of Hosea - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

* Longer article, Undying Love--The Story of Hosea and Gomer: 8. Undying Love— The Story of Hosea and Gomer | Bible.org

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban