Hosea 3:1 (KJV)
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.
The prophet is to take back his wife, though unfaithful, as foretold in Hosea 1:2. He purchases her from her paramour, stipulating she should wait for a long period before she should be restored to her conjugal rights. So Israel is to live for a long period without her ancient rites of religion, and yet be free from idolatry; then at last she shall acknowledge Messiah, and know Jehovah’s goodness restored to her.