Don’t Marry A Gomer Series

DON’T MARRY A GOMER

A STUDY OVER THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: PART XIV (TOPIC: DATING)

INTRO: WE ARE CONTINUING THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE

BIBLE VERSE: Matthew 5:27-28

You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1. THE MATRIMONY.

BIBLE VERSE: Hosea 1:2-3

1:2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, he said to him, “Go marry a prostitute who will bear illegitimate children conceived through prostitution, because the nation continually commits spiritual prostitution by turning away from the LORD.” 1:3 So Hosea married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. Then she conceived and gave birth to a son for him.

A. Don’t Marry a Woman Named Gomer (Joking Here).

Just kidding here, but who ever thought of marrying someone named Gomer (lead yourselves to some laughs here). But then mention there are some serious points coming up.

B. I Don’t Have the Foggiest Idea Why God Would Order Anyone to Do Such a Thing.

God has a strong point he is going to make for all the world to see through this horrible matrimony. To give you the cliff notes (er, for you guys, the wikipedia summary), God is going to be represented by the faithful husband named Hosea, while Gomer is going to be represented by the unfaithful bride of Christ, or the church. God is going to use this example as to how adulterous our generations actually will be.

C. Tough Point: Our Modern Generations Are in the Habit of Marrying Adulterous People All the Time

Everyone lean it to this point, this is going to hit hard. For those hundreds of thousands of young people living together, sleeping together, and exchanging their gift of spiritual purity over for what they think is simply a fun, recreational activity (talking about sex here), we are Gomer.

D. But Tom, you told us…not to be “Yoked” to an unbeliever? Isn’t God breaking this here?

Let me ask you a question, is he? (give time for some response). Obviously, God cannot sin, therefore God cannot tell Hosea to marry a non-believer. So what does this say about Gomer? It says that she is a believer AND a prostitute. Wow, how horrible is that situation!

E. Should Anyone One of Us Marry an Adulterer like Gomer?

Then why are we doing just that? Seriously, our generation is full of this sort of thing. Why are we shocked in the Bible when this happens when most of our friends are doing exactly the same thing.

F. But it is Actually Worse Than that (may be excluded depending on the audience, lots of meat here).

The word “prostitute” is the word “zyunim” which means “harlot, prostitute.” Why the double meaning? Because there were prostitutes, and then there were PROSTITUTES. And this word “zyunim” was typically used (but not always) to describe a “temple prostitute.” That’s right, the kind of girl that didn’t just roam the streets, she gave herself to others while they paid money and worshipped false gods/graven images. Wow!

2. THE RELATIONSHIP

BIBLE VERSE: Hosea 1:4-5

1:4 Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him ‘Jezreel,’ because in a little while I will punish the dynasty of Jehu on account of the bloodshed in the valley of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 1:5 At that time,I will destroy the military power of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.”

BIBLE VERSE: Hosea 1:6

1:6 She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the LORD said to him, “Name her ‘No Pity’ (Lo-Ruhamah) because I will no longer have pity on the nation of Israel. For I will certainly not forgive their guilt.

BIBLE VERSE: Hosea 1:8-9

1:8 When she had weaned ‘No Pity’ (Lo-Ruhamah) she conceived again and gave birth to another son. 1:9 Then the LORD said: “Name him ‘Not My People’ (Lo-Ammi), because you are not my people and I am not your God.”

A. On the Surface, Things Seem to be Doing Well.

After all, the loving couple now have 3 kids, family appears to be functioning as a unit, everything looks from the basic outline of the text to be a well run unit.

*By the way, things are not always what they appear. Please, do NOT go looking at marriages to find fault or to see if things are really as great as they look to be great. But know, that there are some real good-looking marriages that are horrible behind the scenes, and have compassion for those families.

B. Why the Harsh Names?

I. Jezreel: Place Where Israel Military Power is Going to Be Destroyed

II. Lo-Ruhamah: No Pity

III. Lo-Ammi: Not My People