Ah my poor dear husband... besides dealing with the hormonal rushes and 'bungee drops' there is my crazy schedule and he's reminding me again that he'd like to have more time with me. That will be my goal this week.
Ish is the Hebrew word for husband (allied by marriage) in Hosea 2:16. In that day,” declares the LORD, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ The book of Hosea mirrors the relationship of God as the ideal husband for his 'bride - the church' - the one who refuses to divorce us or leave us no matter how unfaithful we may be. He promises to continue to provide and protect for us, and longs for us to be one in that relationship with Him. He finishes the picture in verses 19-20 "I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will (whole heartedly, undivided) bethroth you in faithfulness and you will (wholeheartedly and undivided) acknowledge the LORD."
The will in verse 20 is not a fearful domineering thought, but an exciting promise that I will, someday be able to fling off my temper, my weaknesses, and wholeheartedly acknowledge a spiritual husband. When I look at the word and meaning for husband in God's vocabulary, it works like a mirror, revealing the relationship He wants me to have and the distance I often maintain. He too, wants to spend more time with me. He wants me to not just 'feel' allied, but to be allied - Joined or united in a close relationship - rather than to think of Him as master. I truly believe most, if not all of us, want that type of earthly relationship - master of our hearts not just our time or body or money or skills.
It has been good to see in God's names and in His Word, how powerful, just and righteous He is. But here is the revelation that He wants to move our relationship to a more intimate level. I can bow to His might for He is truly the Master of the Universe, and that will bring me to Him, surely. Yet as I grow and learn more of Him and His desire toward me, a natural response instead of fear will be to bow out of love, deference and awe.
Ken likes to compare this verse with the one in Ephesians that instructs 'husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church' - not as masters, but as Ish - husband. Betrothed. With love, and compassion, and faithfulness.
When I commit myself to Him in that way, God says, "Then, you will really know who I am."
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Emotions a mess today. To be expected I guess with several recent funerals. I'll have to review the message from this morning as I have a ton of notes, but I was truly only partially there. Spent some time reading, and then edited a project this afternoon and it felt good to be somewhat creative - that always helps get me out of the doldrums.
Had a potluck at church and I tried a little Winter cole slaw - a salad made from Sauerkraut. Sounds wierd but really quite good. Came from pioneer days when fresh cabbage in the winter was not available.
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