Yahweh said to me, "Go again, love a woman loved by another, and an adulteress, even as Yahweh loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods, and love cakes of raisins."
"As Jehovah loveth the children of Israel ..." Note the word "as." It was a far different thing to love Gomer as Hosea did, and a far different thing for God to love Israel as he did (and does).  No love of the "friend" could be compared to this.