Daughters of Grace Series: Gomer

Last week we continued a study from the Daily Grace Co. called Daughters of Grace. We talked about Esther, her story, characteristics, and what we can learn from her life. This week we are talking about Gomer. Gomer's story can be found in Hosea chapters 1-14 (though the main parts of her story are in chapters 1-3).

If you would like a link to purchase the study we are reading from, click here. You may also head over to our Facebook Page and watch the live video from 3/15/22 if you would like to just listen to what the book reads and follow along. 

The story of Gomer and Hosea is a little bit different than the other stories of incredible women we have studied thus far. Gomer wasn't a great woman who did heroic things; she really wasn't even a good woman who made decent decisions. But God used her and her husband Hosea to illustrate not only what the redeeming love within a marriage can look like, but what redeeming love by God looks like. 

1. What do we learn about God and His character in the life of Gomer?

Similarly to the other women's lives we have studied, we see God's faithfulness in Gomer's story. However, His faithfulness is shown a little differently here. God isn't employing anyone to act on faith and do big bold things in this story (besides Hosea) and He definitely isn't showing His faithfulness by coming to anyone's rescue or saving the day like in other stories in the Old Testament. Here, God's faithfulness is quietly illustrated in His waiting for Israel to return to Him once again. God isn't going anywhere and He will once again offer grace to this nation, even after they have time and time again turned on Him. God's faithfulness in this story is quiet and steady- it shows that His love will always be greater than our sin. In other stories we have read, God's faithfulness and the character's faithfulness were both present. But here, Gomer was not faithful at all and yet God still was. That speaks volumes about His character! Gomer and Hosea's story shows that God's love is like a parent's love for us; He wants us to learn from our mistakes and not return to them. 

2. What character qualities, positive or negative, do we see demonstrated in Gomer's life?

• unfaithful
• promiscuous 
• selfish
• materialistic 
• unchanging

3. What can I learn from Gomer's story that I can apply to my own life?

• In our imperfection, we are reminded of our own need of grace and love from God.
• God always wants redemption and never leaves us in the wait for that, even when we push Him away. We can never go too far for God to bring us back.
• Christ like love is sometimes necessary in marriage and can illustrate how to better love our significant other.
• God can use unideal situations to bring us closer to Him and teach us about His overwhelming love and mercy.
• It is important to submit to God and obey Him, even if it might not seem to make sense in that moment.
• Just as Hosea pursued Gomer and bought her back, God pursues us with His love, always.