Of Minor Prophets and Their Prostitute Wives

David Bazan is brilliant. But the attitude on this song is one of superiority. it's like Hosea is saying, Sheesh Gomer you're such a fuckup and I'm so perfect. It's Criticism as Inspiration only he doesnt give cred in this song to the fact that the speaker's attitude is that of a jerk. The Bible story this is based on is from Hosea in the old testament, who married a prostitute named Gomer because God told him to, to represent God's steadfastness to his unfaithful people. Check out Micheal Card's "Song Of Gomer". Micheal beat David on this one.....still David's awesome.

I didn't know the back story of this song but it actually makes more sense now. I did get the feeling that the speaker feels his "beloved" is inferior but at the same time this is (sadly?) relatable to me. I mean if you are honest with yourself there is always one person in every relationship who has a little more control or say in what happens. And after being in that position for so long you must begin to feel superior. Still I adore this song.

hey battartyacid this song isnt about Gomer and Hosea. hosea represents God, and Gomer represents Israel in sin, right? like many other pedro songs, the relationship with the man and the woman represents something deeper. this song is from God's perspective, talking to us.

god i love pedro the lion. thats all i can say

hey nothing. right. but the song is about gomer and hosea, and then about God and Israel too. it works on two levels. but to follow what you say, then God says to me, "Adam, you're such a fuckup, and i'm perfect, so there....geez i have to deal with your crap again? sure i've got all the patience in the world, but i want you to know exactly what i'm going through and feel guilt because i'm in slight inconvenience." that's not love, kid. love doesn't keep a record of wrongs or ask for recompense, and i feel the attitude of this song does.
God keeps bailing me out. but if he hadn't created me in the first place there would be no mess for me to get in anyway. so he doesn't tell me all the time how much he's doing for me, he lets me find out and then thank and praise him.

man, i love this band. and the way he writes...it really makes you think. there are so many levels and meanings. does anyone know if they are even still together? IM me at kungfumaster09 if you do... ok thats it

this song is awesome

I almost see the air of superiority, until that last verse. Then it becomes obvious all he's trying to say is, despite it all, I still love you, and protect(or spare, in the God analogy) you.

Even if this was another sarcastic song regarding criticism, this one has a bit of an ironic twist: Criticising crticism. Honestly...you wouldn't feel the same(or angry, even) in Hosea's shoes? And the way we prostitute ourselves to the world, it's a fitting anology, but theres the element of human inperfection that makes the tone almost accusatory.

As mentioned before, this song is a retelling of the story of Hosea and Gomer.

It's symbolism pertains to the way that God pursues and redeems His church.

"I gave you boundaries to save you from certain death."

It's often a difficult concept for us to grasp, but every pleasure brings with it a responsibility. I always fall back on the cheesecake analogy(though most any analogy will do). I love cheesecake- it's my favorite desert. When I eat a piece of cheesecake, I do it right with blueberries in syrup, and chocolate chips- the real deal. Sometimes when I eat a piece I think to myself, "Gee, I could really just go for another one!" And truthfully, sometimes I just happen to give in and eat another piece. You know the result- I feel stuffed and sick. Eating one piece was a boundary which allowed me to enjoy the pleasure of cheesecake within a limit that in the long run, provided more enjoyment.
This can readily be applied to monogamous sex. Sex is emotionally charged and very compelling...but a lot of us struggle to limit those intense feelings to one person. It feels unnatural! But the truth is, not limiting that experience to one person can leave you burnt out and feeling sick in a way that's more permanent than overindulgence on cheesecake.

Thus, to conclude my overlong treatise on pleasure within limits my point is simply this. It's not condescension, it's a little bit of wisdom that's we all usually learn the hardway- "Too much of a good thing, really isn't that good at all."

It's wonderful news to know that when follow our own compulsions, God is there to redeem us- not because we deserve it...but specifically because we DON'T deserve it. As the book of Matthew says. "If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that."

one of my favorite songs. i agree with all of the above. mostly.