Betrothed To God
The Bible has many ways of illustrating our relationship with God as believers. One of the best is that we are married to God. Marriage is to be the closest possible human relationship, in which a man and a woman become one. When we come to know the Lord, we are to be one with Him. We are to be faithful to Him and not worship idols of any kind. If we follow other gods, we are committing spiritual adultery against God. That is what Israel did in Hosea's time. God used Hosea to show His people how much He still loved them, by having Hosea marry a harlot. Then, Hosea told of a time when God would betroth His people to Himself, and they would have the right kind of relationship. (Hosea 2:19.20) We need to see what God said, and remember how we are to relate to God once we know Christ as our Lord.
God desires a righteous relationship with Him, in which we are truthful with Him in all we do and think. He does not want us to try to hide anything from Him. He wants a just relationship, too. He does not want us to take advantage of His goodness and grace. He wants us to be fair with Him in all we do. God wants a relationship of loyalty or lovingkindness, because He is always loyal to us. He wants us to be faithful to our covenant with Him, since He always fulfills His part of the covenant. However, He will extend mercy when we need it, because we will fail at times. However, mainly He wants us to be faithful to Him as He is faithful to us, so that we come to know Him fully. That is what God intends for every believer to experience with Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 4-6.
God desires a righteous relationship with Him, in which we are truthful with Him in all we do and think. He does not want us to try to hide anything from Him. He wants a just relationship, too. He does not want us to take advantage of His goodness and grace. He wants us to be fair with Him in all we do. God wants a relationship of loyalty or lovingkindness, because He is always loyal to us. He wants us to be faithful to our covenant with Him, since He always fulfills His part of the covenant. However, He will extend mercy when we need it, because we will fail at times. However, mainly He wants us to be faithful to Him as He is faithful to us, so that we come to know Him fully. That is what God intends for every believer to experience with Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 4-6.