Less-known Women of the Bible

Gomer

Wife of the prophet Hosea, mother of three children (Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi), and a harlot/adulterer. As Israel departed from the Lord, God commanded Hosea to marry a harlot. When she left, he was instructed to “go again” and “love a woman who is loved by a lover … just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods” (Hos. 3:1). For 15 shekels and some barley, Hosea bought her back (verse 2). The focus of this text is God’s love for Israel, and He uses Hosea and Gomer to make that point. As she (Gomer/Israel) sought other lovers, God (Hosea) pursued her all the more. This text contains a most beautiful hope for women. God is the pursuer, the One who seeks us out, not because we deserve it, but because He loves us and is committed to us. Period. Through this kind of love women must learn to seek out others and love them as God loves. Of all the actions women are called to do, this is the most difficult, the most important.