20.
A vow of faithfulness pledged by Hosea. While Gomar is required to prove herself devoted and loyal. A season of separation from all other lovers with total dedication to be made to her husband. She was to remain celibate and refrain from all idolatry or spiritual harlotry for many days. A time of testing and proving. She was to bear the shame and punishment for having strayed from the true and living God. Hos. 3:3.
Verse four gives evidence that the problem is not a personal situation with Hosea but the focus is on the nation of Israel. They were to be without divinely appointed leadership for many days, actually many years. No guidance of a king among them. No prospects of a future king or a prince could be found. Sacrifice and offerings would cease. They would be void of an image or a pillar of memorial. Joshua set up a great stone as a witness of the promises made by the people to be true unto the Lord. Thus we see it as a memorial a reminder of their vows and originally not an idol. Josh. 24:26 Jacob took the stone which had been his pillow for the night and made it into a pillar or memorial. There he had seen the staircase, the way to heaven and heard the voice of the Lord making promises to him. He anointed the rock and called it Bethel, the house of God. Gen. 28:18-19 This stone, with its anointing, was a type of Christ. Mt. 21:42.
They were to be without an ephod. A shirt like garment worn originally by the high priest indicating the office to which he had been called. To be lacking an ephod would indicate that they would be without a God appointed and anointed priesthood. The special materials and colors used in making the garment were five, the number of atonement, indicating the responsibility of the high priest in making atonement for the people. Ex. 28:4-6.
At the same time they were to be lacking teraphim, that is, idols and images used as objects of worship. It was to be a time of total separation from all forms of worship, good and bad. Hos. 3:4 Their houses, their lives were to be emptied and made ready for a new start. Strange as it may seem, religious objects and images are not uncommon today among some who claim to be followers of Christ. They are relied upon to bring good luck (?), protection, and special anointing. Objects, of wood, stone, cloth and even plastic which cannot in any way perform the duties which they are called upon to execute. The command is to refrain from creating images involved any likeness, of things found in heaven, or objects found on the earth and in the sea. Ex. 20:4 That well covers every possible person or item that can be thought of, even God Himself. We walk by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5:7.