Do you remember Gomer? It’s not the most
popular name found on the birth registry at most hospitals. No, not the one
from the TV show, Gomer Pyle, USMC. The Gomer I am writing about was a woman. She was the daughter of Diblaim. Yes the names are a bit different,
but stay with me on this because it gets even more strange. This post is about just
one aspect of Gomer’s story.
What would you
do if God told you to marry someone who you knew would not remain faithful? Gomer
was a prostitute and God told Hosea to marry her. See, I told you it gets
strange. Why on earth would our loving God tell the prophet Hosea, a man of
God, to marry a prostitute? Hosea knew she had not been faithful; after all she
was a prostitute. Hosea also knew that she probably would not remain faithful
after they married. He was right; Gomer left after giving birth and fell back
into a life of prostitution. When Hosea found her, she was being sold for less
than the slaves. Her life had hit rock bottom. Hosea bought her back and they
remained married afterwards.
How many people
remain faithful before or after the wedding night? Unfortunately that number continues
to decline. Statistics say that about ½ of married couples will have an affair.
Affairs are not just for ordinary, common people. President Clinton and Monica
Lewinsky, Gen. David Petraeus
and
Paula Broadwell, are just a few examples of highly influential married people
that had affairs. The world tells us to do whatever we want, with whomever we
want, whenever you want and there are no consequences for your actions. What a
bunch of lies. Don’t fall for the lies of the world.
Stay connected to
God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit with prayer and Bible reading. Stay connected
with your spouse. Not just in a sexual way even though it is the glue in
marriage, but by playing together, talking & listening (hearing) to each
other, reading the Bible together, praying together, etc. There are endless
ways to connect with your spouse. Did you notice I did not mention kids? They
will grow up and leave one day (at least they are supposed to). After the kids
are grown and gone you and your spouse will be spending much more time with
each other and you do not need to be strangers to each other. Ever.
Do whatever you
must to remain pure to God and your spouse. No matter what our past looks like
our future is up to us to write. So, write a masterpiece of a life and
marriage. God tells us to remain faithful to Him and our spouse. God lays
before us a choice of life or death. Choose life.
Hosea & Gomer = God’s love for
unfaithful Israel and us.
