Jehovah told Hosea to love Gomer, a woman of adulteries, again, symbolizing that Jehovah will love the children of Israel again, though they have turned to other gods (other lovers) and loved raisin cakes (pleasures for self). What Hosea did in obedience to God’s command regarding Gomer was a confirmation of what God promised to do regarding Israel.
Gomer’s abiding with Hosea many days without going about as a harlot nor being another man’s symbolizes that the children of Israel would abide for many days without king, without prince, without sacrifice, without pillar (for worship), and without ephod and teraphim (idols in homes) (v. 4). These “many days” began when the Babylonians burned the temple (2 Chron. 36:19). From that time Israel has been without king and without prince; furthermore, from that time until the present the Jews have not worshipped idols.
This is Christ in the millennium (Rev. 20:6b). See note Amos 9:111b.
I.e., in the age of restoration (Matt. 19:28).
