I Will Betroth You

We understand God best in human terms. So even before Jesus came as a man, the Old Testament prophets portrayed God in a number of familiar human roles—as a Father, a Potter, a Vinedresser, a Shepherd, etc.

Perhaps the most poignant role is that of Husband. The image portrays God’s desire for a love relationship with people who make a covenant with Him—and His sorrow when they desert Him for other gods.

God asked the prophet Hosea to dramatize the image of a husband forsaken by his wife when He told Hosea to marry Gomer. Hosea married her—but like the Israelites who deserted God for idols, Gomer deserted Hosea for other men. Then God moved upon Hosea to proclaim both judgment and restoration.

First, the judgment: I will hedge up your way with thorns, and wall her in . . . She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them . . . . (Hos. 2:6a & c NKJV)

Then the restoration: I will allure her . . . and speak comfort . . . in that day . . . you will call Me, “My Husband,” and no longer call Me “My Master.” (v. 14a & c,16b)

We ache for Hosea when we read the story—and for the wayward Gomer as well. We also receive understanding of God’s ache when we reject Him. God’s heart longs for His people. He says, I will betroth you . . . I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. . . . (v. 19a,20)

Originally published March 13, 1987.
Picture: City park, Havre, MT, 2009. Photo by Solveig.