Spiritual
Adultery (Hosea)
Stephen
Terry
Commentary
for the April 6, 2013 Sabbath School Lesson
“When
they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one
of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’” John 8:7, NIV
In the book of Hosea, the prophet is enjoined by God to
take a prostitute for his wife. Some versions of the Bible say “promiscuous
woman,”[1] but the Hebrew word
translated in this manner is still used to this day by the Jews to refer to a
prostitute. While a promiscuous person may seek sexual encounters for the sheer
joy of the experience, a prostitute is all about payment for services rendered.
Contextually, this is more consistent with the meaning of Hosea.[2] In any event, Hosea finds
and marries Gomer. But Gomer apparently continues to be unfaithful even while
bearing children during the marriage, so that there is doubt as to their true
parentage.[3] Such a difficult situation
would be heart wrenching to anyone today. Even though it were commanded by God
as the text indicates, the pain would still be difficult to bear. Perhaps Hosea
felt keenly such pain in his heart.
Hosea lived this pain day by day, not able to see how
the story of his marriage would turn out. We live our lives in the same way, so
we understand how easy it can be to become discouraged when things are not
going well, and we cannot see what the future holds. Perhaps he comforted
himself when faced with the difficulties of his marriage by reminding himself
that the story wasn’t over yet, and God is in control. Still, the pain can be
overwhelming. Far too many have experienced finding their spouse in the arms of
another, and have felt the traumatic shock that brings. Trust is violated, and
self-esteem may take a wound that might never heal in this life. We might
wonder how God could allow such a thing to happen in a marriage concluded and
consummated before Him.
Sometimes we blame ourselves for not seeing the signs
that might have warned us of future trouble to come in the relationship. But
Hosea could not make that claim. He states that God directed him to go out and
find a prostitute and marry her. We cannot help but wonder about his choice of
Gomer. Why did she consent to marry Hosea? What did she hope to gain? Perhaps
she saw security that she did not have from walking the streets. Maybe she
felt, as many do about God’s people, that Hosea was innocently naďve and would
be easy to deceive about her activities. Did Hosea tell her that he was
directed by God to marry her? Did she think that she could play that angle for
monetary reward? So many questions are unanswered in the book, yet an
understanding of human nature leads to such conjectures that may not be
entirely unfounded.
While we contemplate these things, we might also find
several elements of allegory that may cause us to view this entire book more as
parable than as history. For instance the names of the children are used as
allegorical elements of the narrative.[4] The first child, a boy, is
named Jezreel, which means “God sows” and allegorically may indicate God is
planting a crop. A farmer who does so expects a harvest, so we might see this
as God’s expectation as well. Jezreel is also where Gideon’s army of three
hundred defeated the Midianites and the Amalekites at God’s leading. Three
hundred standing bravely against a vast host is not a theme unique to the Bible
as the account of three hundred Spartans under King Leonidas defending the pass
at Thermopylae against the Persian host of Xerxes I illustrates.[5] Though what is notable
about the biblical account is that unlike the Spartans, Gideon won, and God,
rather than a human king, was given credit for directing every step of the
enterprise. Perhaps this is the allegorical point intended.
The other two children, both girls, were named “Not
Loved” and “Not My People.” In short, their names show they were disowned as
might have been expected at the time for children of uncertain parentage.
However, as Hosea fulfilled the place of father for these children, God himself
steps in as Father for His people. He does this even though their actions may
cause their spiritual parentage to be questioned. On the one hand, the
Israelites claimed descent from those who had crossed the sea and wandered the
wilderness with Moses after God delivered them from Egyptian bondage. Yet, the
very ones who claimed this heritage were now appealing to other gods in the person
of idols and altars from surrounding nations to provide for them.[6] This must certainly have
seemed like an ungrateful, spoiled child who takes another as their parent or
mentor without acknowledging or respecting their biological parent. Perhaps
there is also allegorical reference to this in the Fifth Commandment of Exodus,
chapter 20,[7] for the child who would
respect and honor his or her parents is instructive for the relationship
between Creator and creature as well.
The symbolism can be carried a step further when we
consider the symbolism of birth through baptism.[8] Just as God might claim
parentage through His creative act,[9] He could also assert a
claim of parentage when He figuratively gave birth to a new nation as it passed
through the sea while escaping Pharaoh’s host. In either case, although the
children knew the details of their parentage, they chose to adopt themselves
out to other parents and sought support elsewhere. Perhaps it is an echo of the
serpent’s song of independence in paradise. Perhaps, like a prodigal child who
rejects parental counsel,[10] they believe that they
can better prosper without it.
Gomer could also be an allegorical name. It means an
ending or a finish. Her actions, if continued, will only bring about her end.
But Hosea whose name means “God is the help” or the answer to the need not only
represents salvation in his name but acts out the metaphor when he goes and
finds Gomer and brings her out of her lostness. Though her actions as portrayed
in the story seem to indicate that she does not understand her need, yet Hosea
continues to provide for her and seek her out when she strays.
To our modern way of thinking, when we are faced with a
situation like Hosea’s, we would feel justified in condemning the errant
spouse. We would show little tolerance for the philanderer. After all, the
Bible tells us that adultery is a valid basis for divorce.[11] Perhaps Jesus said this
because of the hardness of our hearts just like Moses.[12] On the other hand, He may
have known that out of the pain that such betrayal can cause, it would be very
hard to restore the trust once enjoyed. Possibly this kind of betrayal may also
be very hard for human hearts to forgive. Perhaps in such cases, living apart
is the best solution.
For some, punishment of the betrayer seems appropriate.
This certainly was the course chosen by the mob that brought the woman caught in flagrante delicto to Jesus, expecting
condemnation and judgment.[13] How surprised they were
when He directed their attention to their own sins. Whether it is a Pharisee
self-righteously comparing himself to others[14] or religious zealots
calling down condemnation and judgment on others as they did with this woman
brought to Jesus, these behaviors do not win any points with God. It is not His
desire to condemn anyone, but to save them.[15] This is what he modeled
in the parable of Hosea.
God instructed Hosea not to condemn his wife, but to
love her as a demonstration of how God continues to love the wayward, though
they stray even to other gods like an unfaithful wife strays to other men.[16] Such a love is hard for
us to understand, especially if we have not experienced that love from others.
Perhaps that is why the book of Hosea is in the Bible. Maybe just like the
parables of Jesus, it is a parable to teach us about God’s character of love
and to help us (Remember, Hosea means “God helps.”) to aspire to model that
love in our own lives.
Perhaps that love is the greatest need in our world,
today. We live in a nation of prisons and judgment in the United States. A
higher percentage of our population is incarcerated than that of any other
nation.[17] Yet, in spite of such a
high incarceration rate, many think that crime is so out of control that they
fear they must be armed to protect themselves from violence to themselves and
their families. Maybe this is why with so much fear, the United States not only
has the highest incarceration rate, it also has the highest per capita private gun
ownership.[18]
Perhaps the parable of Hosea, Gomer, and the three children can show an
alternative, more loving way to lasting peace and safety. Do we have the
courage to try?
