Gomer's lifestyle led her into insurmountable debt. By running away from her husband, she didn't find a better life, but one that took everything she had and then even took her freedom. This is the same thing that was happening to Israel. They were on a path to slavery, yet God's plan as he told Hosea to do was to buy back his wayward wife. Hosea's love not only cost him something again.
On top of the cost which wasn't a lot, indicating she wasn't worth much, the prophet we can assume had the shame of community which knew what was going on. This, however, was probably not discussed much as Hosea's response would have been, Yes, Gomer has treated me poorly but you've done the same to God.
We may want to thank God we aren't called to this life but aren't we? Love your enemies, do good to those that despise you, turn the other cheek, love as I have loved you. Perhaps we have been called to live more like Hosea than we might originally think. After all, aren't we supposed to be Christ-like?
Hos 3:1-5
(1) Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.
(2) So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:
(3) And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.
(4) For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:
(5) Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
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