GOMER THE DAUGHTER OF DIBLAIM (1)

HOSEA LOVED HER BACK TO THEIR MARRIAGE

We last studied Hosea and Gomer, in May 2017. At that time part of our study centered on the stages of Israel’s relationship with God are depicted in the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, as well as in Hosea’s relationship with Gomer (see below). Beginning today, we will dig a bit deeper into a fuller and more in-depth understanding of the multifaceted message of this love story. And still, the center is GOD. 

And we’ll give a bit of background on Hosea and his real purpose in the story. But, please know this; God observes Israel as His wife, and He views her worship of other gods as spiritual adultery.

 ISRAEL’S APOSTASY AND HOSEA’S MARRIAGE (3:1)

Stage	Israel’s Prophets	Hosea’s Marriage
Betrothal	Jeremiah 2:2	Hosea 1:2
Marriage	Ezekiel 16:8-14	Hosea 1:3
Adultery	Jeremiah 5:; Ezekiel 16:15-34	Hosea 3:1
Estrangement	Jeremiah3:8-10; Ezekiel 16:35-52	Hosea 3:3,4
Restoration	Ezekiel 16:53-63	Hosea 3:5

Old Testament scripture teaches us that often there is the referral of Israel whoring after or playing the harlot with other gods (e.g., Deut. 31:16; Judg. 2:17). God had told Israel from the beginning that he would not share her with others. “You shall have no other gods before Me” was the first of his ten great commandments (Ex. 20:3). Nonetheless, she had stubbornly ignored His command, and by the days of Jeroboam II, the condition was intolerable. God was about to speak once and for all, and He chose first a prophet named Amos. The former herdsman of Tekoa thundered God’s warning of imminent judgment, but the nation paid little attention. So, God spoke again, this time through the prophet Hosea whose name meant "Jehovah is salvation."   Hosea was the son of Beeri and seemingly belonged to the upper classes. Judging from his elegant style, he was highly cultured.

THEN ALONG COMES GOMER. God is an awesome God. As much as we can, we ought study, study, and study His word, while asking and seeking wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Here we have God telling Hosea: “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry, and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the Lord” (Hos. 1:2).  God directed him to take her as his wife, and so it was that Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, became the unlikely wife of a prophet…to be cont’d

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org.