God as Husband (Ish)

Hosea 1-4 is one text that illustrates God’s relationship with Israel through a marriage relationship. In these chapters, God uses His prophet Hosea to make a point to Israel by having Hosea marry Gomer, a prostitute. Hosea represents God, while Gomer represents the people of God. In these chapters, Hosea is led to show the faithfulness of a husband who honors his marriage covenant and goes after her even after leaving him for her lovers. This is very different from human relationships that end in divorce over the slightest infractions and disagreements.

Read Ezekiel 16 where God describes what he has done for Israel as an unwanted and abandoned girl left without any care. God bathes her, adorns her, and places her in a queen’s world with all the dainties and pleasures of life as His wife. What does she do but invite her neighboring nations to defile that holy bed chamber.

Applying this image to our spiritual relationship to God, the Bible depicts his people as having already been betrothed and joined to Him in marriage. Those in Christ become a part of the bride of Christ. Paul compares the relationship of a husband and wife to that of Christ and the called-out people of God (Ephesians 5:22-33). Please, remember that this is not a relationship between Christ and churches or congregations. The called-out people of God as a class of people in its entirety form His bride who has obligations to the bridegroom (Jesus Christ, Eph. 5:22-23).

While many of us look for the “one day [when] my prince will come,” we fail to realize two important aspects of this paradigm. First, the prince has already come for us from the standpoint that the relationship is already an established one. Second, Satan is like the nations that surrounded ancient Israel. He is pursuing the bride of Christ in all her splendor and glory. He would not be interested if she were in the gutter, wallowing in filth. The divine husband is caring, self-sacrificing, and ready to give us “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,” (Ephesians 3:20). But, he is not ostentatious and forces His gifts upon us. He often knocks quietly, waiting for a response or request. Satan, on the other hand, is loud and parades all that he has to offer to be enticing. He is full of flash and promises more if we open ourselves to him. He makes life with him seem fun and easy, but in the end, his only concern is for himself. He gives for what he can get out of it and to satisfy his desire to thwart the purposes of God. God loved us when we were unlovable and gave Himself for us to sanctify and purify us (Ephesians 5:26). Each day, sometimes each hour, or each minute, we choose the one to whom we will give our heart. Will you choose Satan, full of intrigue and self-interest, or God and His Christ—who will be our true and faithful husband (Ish) and Bridegroom (Nymphios Aner) if we will save ourselves only for Him?