“I will betroth you to Me forever. Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy. I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the LORD.” (Hosea 2:19–20, NKJV)

Israel had been an unfaithful bride. In going to her other lovers, she had forsaken the LORD’s mercies. The gifts He had given her, she had used to serve other gods. Therefore, the LORD set her aside, but He did not divorce her. All of this was illustrated in Hosea’s relationship with Gomer. In her promiscuity, Gomer had even conceived another man’s children. Imagine how this ripped apart Hosea’s heart! But in her prostitution, Gomer became impoverished. So she sold herself to other lovers for food, clothing, oil and drinks.

This is what Israel had also done. Her worship of Baal had left her spiritually bankrupt. Therefore, God would take away the grain, new wine, wool and linen He had given her and strip her naked in public. He would give her over to the Assyrians who would abuse her. But later God would hedge her in with thornbushes and separate her from her other lovers.

“Then she will think, ‘I might as well return to my husband, for I was better off with him than I am now.’” (Hosea 2:7, NLT)

The LORD would win her back to Himself. He would lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. She would give herself to Him, as she had done at first. The names of her other lovers would never again be found on her lips. God would make her His wife forever and show her righteousness, justice, unfailing love and compassion. And she would finally know Him as her faithful Husband.

“Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’” (Hosea 2:23, NKJV)

This is an amazing story, and Peter applies it to the church.

“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10, ESV)

Though we were once unfaithful and self-serving, the Lord has wooed us to Himself. He has made us His beloved Bride and lavished upon us His righteousness, justice, unfailing love and compassion. Let us spend time today thanking Him for His wonderful faithfulness and constant care!