Hosea 2:14-23
That God is powerful goes without question for most Christians. We can look up at the stars and realize that the light we see now was emitted long long ago and has only now reached our vision. A testimony from nature such as this helps our perspective regarding the dimensions of God’s power. We conclude that a God such as this surely deserves to be honored and we respond, “God we worship You in Your power and might.” No doubt God appreciates that we reverence Him so. However, as stunning as his strength is, Hosea reveals something that is perhaps even more astonishing about God – His heart.
To reveal it, God requires the prophet Hosea to wed Gomer, a prostitute, to graphically depict how God’s mysterious heart works. She is habitually unfaithful and deluded, believing her material needs are being provided by her many lovers. No doubt Hosea wept as he watched his wife degrade and soil herself, sharing her body with those who cared nothing about her. What Hosea rightfully deserved and wanted was her fidelity and her love but he could not have it. All he could do was dream of a future day when he would get her back. While she deserved to be stoned, he is dreaming of her redemption.
As God dreams and projects His will forward, He anticipates a day when His beloved will be brought into a wilderness place and He will woo her with kind words; give her gifts and restore the vitality of her youth. Most importantly her heart will somehow be changed and she will speak the names of her lovers no more. It seems the event of her restoration will be so glorious that God will initiate a new covenant that occasions blessing to spill over into all surrounding nature and society.
We see married couples commonly rehearsing their vows after years of marriage. It seems something similar is going to occur between God and Israel. In this long awaited ceremony God will betroth His Bride to Himself in righteousness, justice, compassion, lovingkindness and perhaps most importantly to the spurned Lover – faithfulness. Finally! Faithfulness.
Verse 20 says, that then Israel will know the Lord.
As God enjoys renewed intimacy with His Beloved it seems all of creation will join in the celebratiion and enjoy the gift of its own restoration. It says God will respond differently to the heavens, and in turn the heavens will respond differently to the earth, and the earth itself will then respond with unprecedented fertility. My mind is drawn to the New Testament where Paul (in three places) expresses it this way;
with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of times, that is the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. (Eph 1:10)
and through Him (Jesus) to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross…whether things on earth or things in heaven. (Col 1:20)
that all creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Rom 8:21)
Father, we know this was about Israel but we also know that we have been grafted into that story and that we are the beneficiaries of Your great heart. We see the cosmic implications for man and creation but I will satisfy myself with knowing that in my most grotesque and shameful thoughts and deeds you were loving me and wooing me. In my wildernesses, many of which I have created, You have spoken kindly to me and rescued me. May the faithfulness and consummation You desire with Israel begin in my heart. Permit me to journey further into that place in Your heart where Your power and Your love merge – transforming all they touch. Amen.