Friday 22nd November
I will betroth you to myself forever.”
Hosea 2:16,17,21-22
The book of Hosea is the experience of the prophet Hosea, who has an unfaithful wife, and yet he takes her back. This experience symbolises the relationship of unfaithful Israel with God. It is this same experience that leads him to speak out to Israel about their infidelity to God. But reassures the people God will take you back and make us His again. Hosea is the first prophet that speaks about the relationship with God as a marriage. Fidelity, commitment and loyalty are words that speak to us about a love that is enduring. How is our faithfulness to God?
Hosea’s wife had other lovers. What are the substitutes in our hearts for God’s Love? How do we live this sense of betrothal in our relationship with God? We are all called to be faithful to God’s Love. We can have great faith in Christ in some areas of our life. But are there other areas of my life where I can make idols of wealth, ambition, social status, or sex?