post 6

"And I will betroth you to me forever...
I will betroth you to me in justice"
{hosea 2:19}

You know those moments when you read the Bible (or any book you've read over and over.  Or movie you've seen repeatedly) and there is a verse or sentence or line and it's like "WHAT? Has this always been here?"  It's the "jump off the page" moment.

That is what Hosea 2:19 was for me.  I don't know why, but when my eyes crossed over those letters, and the words came together in my brain, my heart was tugged-at. 

Obviously everyone knows that "betrothal" was essentially an engagement between a man and a woman.  A commitment for something in the future.  A word given that would be kept.  The actual definition of "betroth" is this: to make a promise by one's truth.  God promises that I will be united with Him forever.  He took the initiative and gave His word, it's going to happen.

BUT, this was the kicker for me.   I am connected to God in justice. Whoa whoa whoa.

I can understand, maybe, "in mercy" or "in compassion" or "or grace." "In forgiveness," perhaps?  Maybemaybe I can even understand "in love."  I don't understand why He loves me, but that would make sense: "I will betroth you to Me in love."  

But justice?  This situation is anything but just.  Justice is "the administering of deserved punishment or reward."  Um.  Awkward.  If I am getting what I deserve, I can't be betrothed to God.  If God chooses to forgive me and just erase the punishment I've accrued, He's not being just.

But He promises He will unite Himself with me forever.

And He promises it will be in justice.

And that would mean that my foreverness with God is just.  And that would mean it is deserved.  And that would mean that if He did not betroth Himself to me, it would be unjust.  Unfair.  And that would be wrong.  That would be accusing God of sin.  

Enter Jesus:  The only one who deserved to be with God forever.  The only one who had a just relationship with Him.   And He looked upon me, with eyes of love.  The holy looked upon the sinner.  And judge charged the innocent with the punishment of the guilty.  Justice was served.  The sin was accounted for and the detesable, wrecking, hellish torture for sin was placed on the only man who deserved to be united with God forever.  Jesus took our place, so He could give us the title of "deserving." 

You know what that means?  It means that God sees us as He sees His perfect son.  He sees us as deserving, if I believe.  His love is just, if Jesus is my Savior.  If I ever think for a moment that God will forsake me, I'm accusing Him of sin.   If I ever think God doesn't love me, I must be considering God unjust.  If the terror of sin ever whells up inside me, and guilt comes screaming for recompense, I can confidently know "If God were to punish me for my sin, AFTER already punishing His son, after I have believed in Him, that would not be justice.  That would be cruel. And my God is just.  His love is just."

I can't wait to meet my God.

Forever is going to be amazing.