(A) HOSEA'S MARRIAGE TO GOMER. (HOSEA 1; 2; 3)
(i) God instructed Hosea to take for a wife a woman of harlotry.
(ii) This was to demostrate how Israel has forsaken the Lord and engaged in idolatry.
(iii) He took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, who gave birth to three children.
(iv) The first child, a son, was named Jezreel.
(v) The name implied that God would punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel and would put an end to the kingdom of Israel.
(vi) Gomer's second born was a female whom she named "Not Pitied" ) "Not Pitied" means God would no longer pity the house of Israel.
(vii) The third born was named "Not my people" because Israel was no longer the people of God nor was God their God.
(ix) After the birth of these children, Gomer abandoned Hosea and ran after other lovers/she became a temple prostitute.
(x) Hosea, out of love, implored Corner to come back but she refused.
(xi) He sent his children to plead with her to return, but to no avail. .
(xii) Gomer was influenced by the worldly things she was getting from her lovers.
(xiii) Despite Comer's unfaithfulness and Hosea's disappointments, Hosea still loved her.
(xiv) Hosea's marital experience and love for his wife was a demonstration of God's love for Israel.

(B) THREE FACTORS ENSURING STABLE MARRIAGE.
(i) Effective communication/quality time with each other.
(ii) Mutual love, trust and respect/understanding
(iii) Economic security.
(iv) Sharing responsibility
(v) Prudent use of financial resources.
(vi) Sexual compatibility.
(vii) Spirit of forgiveness, no matter the circumstances.
(viii) Endurance/Patience/courage to withstand family problems/friends
(ix) Faithfulness/commitment.
(x) Praying together/Intercession to restore broken relationships.
(xi) Tolerance in marriage.