(This entire process, just mentioned, was shown dramatically by Hosea.

Hosea was to picture the LORD, taking us in our wickedness, to save us, and to be his:)

 

Hosea 1:2 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

  3a So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim;

 

(But she, just like us, backslid, and went back to the world with her first sins:)

 

Hosea 2:7a And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them;

  13b  and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.

 

(Then the LORD showed how he will reach out in mercy to the backslider, to offer godly sorrow and repentance:)

 

Hosea 2:14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

 

(Then Hosea was again to picture the LORD, this time to seek her in her backsliding, to love her as in the beginning, to recover her.

Hosea found his wife, that had left him, now older, and no longer beautiful in her youth.

She was defiled, corrupted by the world and her sin – no one wanted her anymore – no one would pay anything for her now.

There she was, avoided by everyone, used up, alone, and broken hearted beyond measure.

No doubt, with her head down, knowing that no one wanted her, wondering what sorrows and depression lay ahead.)

 

(Then she can hardly believe what she hears – someone is actually offering to pay for her, and at a high price, as well!

Who could this possibly be, that would even be interested in her, an old, defiled sinner like her?

She lifts her head to see that it is her husband, who had loved her, whom she had left, and broken his heart.

He still loves her, and wants her to be his, to stay with him!)

 

Hosea 3:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

  2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

  3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

 

(And if that wasn’t enough, he promises to restore to her the wonders and blessings of their first love!!!)

 

Hosea 2:15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

  19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

  20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.