Hosea 3 Commentary

The book of Hosea contrasts God’s faithfulness to Israel’s faithlessness. In the first three chapters, Hosea introduces the reader to Israel’s infidelity to their Suzerain (Ruler) God who entered into a covenant with Him, and spelled out the path they could take that would lead to great blessing. God’s covenant with Israel can be viewed as a marital contract. By using Hosea’s own marriage to his unfaithful wife, Gomer, God demonstrated that Israel is an unfaithful covenant partner. Israel had broken her vows to her Covenant Husband.

Throughout the rest of Hosea, Israel’s condition is described as disobedient, rebellious, and idolatrous. As God had warned, Israel’s adoption of pagan principles of self-indulgence led to exploitation, deception, and violence (Hosea 4:2). The people of Israel stood in need of repentance and genuine righteousness. Hosea called them to repentance, but Israel declined.

Israel spent years sowing to its own destruction, making and breaking alliances with the world’s superpowers at the time, Egypt and Assyria, dealing treacherously. Hosea describes Israel as acting like a “silly dove” flitting from one nation to the other, rather than turning to God for protection (Hosea 7:11). Thus Assyria will come and put Israel into exile, which God will use as a way of punishing Israel for its infidelity to its covenant with God (Hosea 11:5).

Through it all, however, the book offers hope to Israel. For although the Suzerain God invoked the discipline provisions of their covenant contract with Him, resulting in them being wounded grievously, in the end times He will heal them, revive them, and restore their blessings (Hosea 2:20, 14:7). May all who read this book find comfort and hope in the steadfast love and faithfulness of God!

This chapter describes Hosea’s reunion with his adulterous wife, Gomer, after a temporary separation. God instructs the prophet to retrieve Gomer to illustrate His unending love for Israel. Hosea obeys God and redeems Gomer, buying Gomer back. Hosea asks her to live in complete abstinence of sexual relations for many days and to stop playing the harlot, before the two of them can resume their normal intimate relationship as husband and wife. Gomer’s probationary period serves to depict Israel’s experience in exile, where the nation will live with no political entity or religious institutions. Afterward, the entire family of Israel and Judah will be reunited and will submit to a Davidic ruler, which will be a complete and lasting restoration. This chapter can be outlined as follows:

1. The LORD asks Hosea to retrieve his wife Gomer in love, even though she is an adulteress. This gracious act illustrates God’s love for Israel, despite her unfaithfulness (v. 1).

2. Hosea obeys the LORD’s command and redeems Gomer, buying her back. He asks her to live in complete abstinence of sexual relations for many days, to stop playing the harlot, and to refrain from marrying another man, before the two of them can resume their normal married life (vv. 2-3).

3. Gomer’s probationary period illustrates Israel’s experience in captivity, where the nation will live with no political or religious entity. After this period, Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and will experience complete restoration (vv. 4-5).

The Bible Project - Hosea Summary