Theory question 103
God's Divine LoveDescribe Hosea's marital experience and how it demonstrates God's love for Israel.
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God told Hosea to take "a wife of harlotry", for the land committed great harlotry by forsaking the Lord (Hosea 1:2).
He married Gomer daughter of Diblaim (Hosea 1:3).
Their children were given symbolic names: Jezreel (punishment of Jehu's house), Lo-ruhamah ("not pitied") and Lo-ammi ("not my people") (Hosea 1:4-9).
Gomer was unfaithful and went after her lovers (Hosea 2:2-5).
God told Hosea to love her again although she was an adulteress, as the Lord loves Israel though they turn to other gods (Hosea 3:1).
Hosea bought her back for fifteen shekels of silver and a measure of barley, and told her to stay faithful to him (Hosea 3:2-3).
Demonstration: Gomer's unfaithfulness pictures Israel's idolatry; Hosea's pain pictures God's grief; his buying her back pictures God's redeeming love; God disciplines but does not abandon Israel (Hosea 11:1-9); God promises to betroth Israel to Himself for ever in steadfast love and mercy (Hosea 2:14-20).
Tell Hosea's marriage story, then link each part to God and Israel.