Gomer, the wife of the prophet Hosea, is an important female biblical figure who struggled with spiritual and moral impurity. Her story is found in the book of Hosea and her unfaithfulness to her husband Hosea is a parallel picture to Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.
God commands Hosea to marry Gomer, a woman described as “a wife of whoredom” (Hosea 1:2, ESV). Gomer’s sexual adultery is a vivid depiction of Israel’s spiritual adultery, as the nation had forsaken God to worship other gods.
Gomer’s adulterous actions—leaving Hosea and pursuing other lovers—mirror Israel’s betrayal of God. Despite her unfaithfulness, Hosea’s unwavering love for Gomer serves as a powerful illustration of God’s steadfast love and mercy toward His people. Hosea 3:1 highlights this when God instructs Hosea, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods” (NIV).
Gomer’s story of impurity is not just a moral issue but a spiritual picture of Israel’s violation of covenant with God. It is through Hosea’s redemptive love that we see the possibility of restoration and reconciliation with God. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we too can experience a pure and divine love that persists even in the face of our human unfaithfulness.
By Angela Aberle
Image by Stormseeker
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
Colossians 3:5
The Fruit of Impurity
Impurity is defined as something being made dirty. With regards to sin, it is our nature being defiled. Impurity can be rooted in many things including: Unresolved emotional wounds, trauma, low self-esteem, cultural/societal influences, lack of self-control, lack of control of desires, anxiety/depression,
This impurity leads to fruit that is seen in: Guilt and shame, feelings of unworthiness, lack of trust in relationships, emotional pain, unhealthy habits, addictions and cycles of repeated behaviors that lead to poor health.
How do we overcome IMPURITY?
1. RECOGNIZE the IMPURITY is there
2. REPENT for coming into agreement with IMPURITY
3. LET GO of the hurt and pain by forgiving those who have tempted you into IMPURITY
4. LET GOD help you walk a new way now that you have repented and forgiven
Learn more about how to walk out this journey through our Trace Modeling curriculum at www.JourneyU.org/CLASSES
