The Bridegroom and the Bride

   “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry, for the land commits great harlotry by forsaking the Lord.” (Hosea 1: 2)

   The first three chapters of the prophet Hosea is the story of his marriage to the harlot Gomer.  Throughout their marriage Gomer was repeatedly unfaithful, committing adultery with many men.  Each time Hosea would seek her out, forgive her and welcome her back into his home.

   The symbolism is unmistakable.  Hosea represents God.  Gomer represents the Israelites.  Their marriage is the image of God’s covenant with His people.  As Gomer repeated betrayed Hosea through adultery, the Israelites betrayed God, committing adultery in worshiping other gods.  As Hosea repeated forgave Gomer, so God repeatedly forgave the Israelites, welcoming them back into His family.

   Our relationship with God is that of a marriage covenant; He is the Bridegroom and we are the bride.  This imagery is evident throughout the Bible.  Covenants are forever, they do not expire and do not require renewal.  God’s covenant with us is forever just as the marriage covenant between man and woman is intended to be forever.  It is based on an everlasting, forgiving love.  Love that always seeks to heal, never to destroy.

   We are harlots just as Gomer was.  We may not worship the pagan god Baal as many did in the time of Hosea but still we serve pagan gods.  When we hold anything in life above the one true God we are worshiping a pagan god.  Whether it be money, position or self it becomes our god.

   God will forgive.  Just as Hosea did, He will seek us out to reclaim us if we are willing.  He will forgive our adultery with other gods and welcome us back into His family and His home.  This is what a covenant means; to be always willing to forgive and reconcile.

   God is our Bridegroom and we are His bride.  Let us not be like Gomer but like our Blessed Mother who lived her life in total devotion and commitment to the Bridegroom.

Lord, teach us to love as You love.

Teach us to forgive as You forgive.

Help us remain true to our covenant with You.

Amen