Today I read Hosea 2, talking about Gomer’s whorish behavior, being taught a lesson and then being restored, just like how God restores His children after their wrong behavior. Today I considered that God knows all that we have done wrong but loves us enough to restore us.
Gomer’s Restoration After Punishment
Hosea tells of Gomer being punished but then being restored (Hosea 2:1-23). Hosea tells his son that the son’s mother is not his wife and needs to stop acting and dressing like a whore or else. Hosea will strip Gomer naked, destroy the gifts from her lovers and her property, and not acknowledge the children she birthed. Hosea will make Gomer pay for all her wild partying and loose her lovers. Then Hosea will start all over again wooing her. She’ll call him husband, not calling him master. Hosea will cleanse Gomer, make her realize how blessed she was by him, and she’ll not worship false gods. He will marry her and have mercy on her. Those not God’s people will become God’s people. They shall call God their God.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
God knows all about us, will punish us, but still loves us enough to restore us. Hosea knew all that Gomer was doing and would punish her but also would restore her. No matter what we have done, God knows. God even knows the number of hairs on our heads. But as a loving father, God will punish us to get us back on track and still give us good things.
What is an example in your life or someone you know of God punishing that person to get them doing the right thing but then also restoring them?