Adding to the pain, Hosea’s family situation is no private matter, but a public drama played out before the people of Israel. How could a gracious, loving God ordain such a heartbreaking experience for a man called to be a prophet?
Hosea’s love and family life is a painful dramatization of God’s relationship with spiritually adulterous Israel. Having lived with the private agony and the public humiliation of an unfaithful spouse, Hosea can be authentic and sincere in his call to repentance because he has had a taste of God’s pain. Through personal experience, Hosea understands the extent to which God moves with love and compassion for a people who continue to reject Him.
Perhaps at some point Hosea asked the question we raise as we experience trauma in our lives, “Why me, God?” Authentic outreach to others occurs best when God reaches into our lives and exposes us to the trauma and suffering He or others experience. It is the cost of being used by God. That experience teaches us God’s view: love is no fleeting, sterile emotion, but an everlasting condition that requires humility, compassion and perseverance.
The story of Hosea and Gomer is not so much a turbulent human love story, as a demonstration of God’s everlasting faithfulness. Their story reminds us God may allow, perhaps require us to experience trauma, but even then His persevering love stands ready to bring restoration to our lives.
“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.”—Isaiah 43:4
