The main intention of the text was not to provide the readers with a kind of (personal life) biography of a particular man, Hosea, nor to elicit thoughts about his supposed prophetic growth through his difficult family or marital experiences. Together they created man and woman for community. will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. Ultimately, Israel had created an environment in which she was destroying herself, and though the Lord had had mercy on her for several hundred years by calling prophets and warning of this destruction, Israel was then Lo-ruhamah (not obtaining mercy); the children of Israel had sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). Richard D. Draper [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989], 227). Once you choose to marry, it's no longer up for . people that can be broken at any time when the relationship no longer meets the needs of those involved. [24] This gathering will ultimately be fulfilled in both religious and political realms when all the tribes are gathered under one head, or the Messiah. At first glance this seems out of place, but verses 1819 seem to clarify why Lehi rejoices; he speaks of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world. As we read chapters like 1 Nephi 1115, we see how the Nephites glory in the prospect of a restoration of their people in a future day. Even though Israels unfaithfulness to God led to its exile, God does not forsake his covenant with the Israelites any more so than a faithful husband would forsake his marriage with to his beloved wife: I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown (Jer. [9] The syntactic and pragmatic features of the command for Hosea to take a wife also seem to support this. Genesis 1:1 the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The matrimonial union of man and woman is indissoluble: God himself has determined it (CCC 1614). The symbolism in 2:3 takes us back to the birth of Israel during the Exodus, when she struggled for physical and spiritual survival and was literally sustained by the Lord with manna and living water. Hosea 2:21-22. Under the new covenant, marriage takes on a greater spiritual significance as well. Webster's 1828 Unabridged Dictionary defines "submit" as "to yield, resign, or surrender to the power, will or authority of another." [7] I agree with Sidney B. Sperrys conclusion that the Lords call to Hosea to take a harlotrous woman to wife represents the prophets call to the ministrya ministry to an apostate and covenant-breaking people. [36] Thanks to the words of the Lord given to his prophets, we get a better understanding that the gathering of Israel following the scattering is thus foretold through Hosea and that this interpretation is strengthened through Pauls quoting of Hosea 2:23 as a promise to be fulfilled to the Gentiles.[37] Indeed we have an opportunity to participate in the events leading up to the millennial reign of Christ and to participate in the fulfillment of Hoseas great prophecies of the Restoration when the Lord will say, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God (Hosea 2:23). This is probably most evident in Pauls letter to the Ephesians in which he writes: Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. This Article analyzes the recent covenant marriage movement in America, and its deep roots in biblical teachings. For thus says the Lord God: I will deal with you for what you did; you despised an oath by breaking a covenant. (This applies to valid Christian marriages that have been consummated.). But Gods merciful love will manifest, just as Hoseas merciful actions restore his marriage. Accordingly, St. Paul refers to the Corinthians in nuptial terms: I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Christ to present you as a pure bride to her one husband (2 Cor. However, it is more of a declaration by the Lord that the people have disqualified themselves from the blessings that come from his mercy through disobedience to the covenant. Thus we see a development in eschatological marriage theology. Israel in its disobedience to the commands of the Lord is depicted as a wayward spouse. The Catechism explains: Jesus unequivocally taught the original meaning of the union of man and woman as the Creator willed it from the beginning. Throughout the Bible, He is presented as three persons being one. Lie 1: "If you're not compatible, you may have married the wrong person.". Contrast 1 Nephi 1:1015, where Lehi reads a book containing the Lords message to his people. Our culture views marriage as a contract between two (or more!) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 69). [29] The designations of Ammi (my people) and Ruhamah (pitied or receiving mercy) mark a reversal of Hoseas message in chapter 1, verses 6 and 9. . [36] President Ezra Taft Benson taught, The responsibility of the seed of Abraham, which we are, is to be missionaries to bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations (Abr. The creator used a blueprint, or model - Himself. . The Catechism explains: St. Even though John sees this taking place in heaven, it is crucial to note the words of the angel that come next: And the angel said to me, Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are true words of God (Rev. Indeed, the sacraments anticipate and prepare the Church on earth for the eschatological wedding feast in heaven. There is a more important relationship in life than the man-woman relationship. Elder Bruce R. McConkie remarks, In a spiritual sense, to emphasize how serious it is, the damning sin of idolatry is called adultery. shall become a holy city where the Lord shall dwell and from whence he shall send forth his word unto all people. Eschatological marriage was then looked to as an example upon which to base human marriage. Your email address will not be published. In the New Testament, Jesus often refers to Himself as a Bridegroom: The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. Americas. Verse 4 is more of a negated marriage formula that describes the current situation (Hosea 2, 54). For the inhabitants of the land surely go astray from the worship of the Lord. 21:2; see also vs. 9-11). Human marriage is a salvific representation of eschatological marriage. Inasmuch as Scripture guides toward salvation, this unique wedding is the image of that goal. The law will come into effect from 2024. Issues of faith and morals must be addressed as the Church addresses them for the sake of the persons salvation. This emphasizes the coming together of Israel under one head.. Please see our FAQ page for more information. Jehus descendants still ruled Israel in Hoseas day. The ultimate thing to see in the Bible about marriage is that it exists for God's glory. This paper will address a few major issues in Hosea 12, including how the imagery of the names of Hoseas family members are used, what they really mean in context, how the history and condition of Israel is presented, and what clues the text gives us about the nature of Israels reconciliation and restoration. It is deepened by lives of the common faith and by the Eucharist received together (CCC 1644). And implied in the phrase they become one flesh is also the fact that God originally intended marriage to be a lifelong relationship. The evil children of this apparent union represent the coming of the judgments of the Lord upon Israel, warning of which was to be carried to the people by the prophet. Christian marriage not only mirrors eschatological marriage but also eventually becomes it. [4] Hoseas message was timely not only to ancient Israel and Judah but also to his audiences in future days. Paul goes on to recall the institution of human marriage and to see in it an image of the eschatological marriage in Christ: For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church (Eph. 2:18, following the creation order, is a return to the harmony that existed in creation as the animal kingdom is to be maintained.[34]. Add an RSC shortcut to this device's Homescreen, In the menu, scroll past any icons and tap. The name Gomer is thus appropriate in the Lords message through Hosea. Such members of the body of Christ are instruments of salvation for their spouses. This being the case, since eschatology is already inaugurated and partially realized through the sacraments, Christian marriage must already begin to take the shape of eschatological marriage in every way that it can. Initially introduced is human marriage, silently modeled on the eschatological marriage later revealed, after which Christian marriage is elevated as a participation in the inauguration of realized eschatology. The reference to the series of animals in Hos. Throughout this letter, God uses nuptial imagery to describe His covenantal relationship with us, His beloved children. 7:39). Monte Nyman (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1984), 61. And this is in fact the mystery of Marriage: God makes of the two spouses a single existence. . The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in a permanent, plural, equal, complementary, ordered, and loving union. Although it is not explicitly introduced until much later in Scripture than is human marriage, eschatological marriage (i.e., Gods covenantal relationship with his people) and its developments may be traced through much of the Bible as well. It goes without saying that in periods later than the Persian era, the image of a future Messiah who will combine features of a David with those of Moses fulfilled important roles and influenced among others the characterization of Jesus (Hosea, 51). Kelle discusses the close relationship between the children and their mother, which produces a sense of urgency for the children (Hosea 2, 231). The promises find their fulfillment in a future dayour daywhen the gospel has been restored in its fullness and Israel has come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer (1 Nephi 10:14). Jeremiah 3:1. . The way to see this most clearly is to connect Genesis 2:24 . the final clause of v. 2]) or even the fate and actions of Hosea, but rather that which they symbolized. [24] Though attempts have been made to describe how this unification had already taken place during the time of the Persian empire, none have been able to fully justify such claims, and future days still lie in the interpretations. In fact, the first chapter of Genesis and the final chapter of Revelation bookend Scripture with marriage imagery. Marriage - A Picture of Christ & the Church Eph. Marriage is a picture of the church's relationship with God. [11] The King James Version translates this portion of the text in the past tense (for the land hath committed), but the Hebrew reflects a condition that is certain in regards to the future (for the land will surely), and this is why the Lord sent Hosea to call Israel to repentance: to help them avoid what was coming. Rather than a divorce, it is more of a temporary separation, as the Lord clearly wants Israel back, and in a future day this reuniting will happen. Primary Purpose of Marriage The primary reason marriage is significant to God is because it is part of His ordained plan to provide the world with a picture of His love for men and women. Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts (vv. 19:7). Is. The use of the name Jezreel is a prophetic pronouncement that the blood shed by Jehu at that place would now be avenged upon his dynasty, whose kings were wicked like their ancestor.[19]. [2] We do not know many details about the historical person of Hosea; based on the content of the book, his prophetic activity is usually dated from near the end of Jeroboam IIs reign (circa 750 BC) to around the fall of Samaria (circa 722 BC).[3]. These concessions would later be lamented I gave them statutes that were not good (Ezek. . Just as they become one flesh, so in Communion we all become one spirit, one person, with Christ. [14] See Ezekiel 2:73:4 (and comments in Ben Zvi, Ezekiel, in The Jewish Study Bible, 1049); Revelation 10:910; and Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1973), 3:507. [32] For a message addressed to Jerusalem along these lines, see Ezekiel 16:415. Jesus has provided the means for his bride, the Church, to be made holy. . Why is marriage important to God? Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. The language of the children being as the sands of the sea is a reference back to the covenant between the Lord and Abraham. Contraception in marriage is therefore immoral. These two cities, one in the land of Zion and one in Palestine, are to become capitals for the kingdom of God during the Millennium (Zion and Jerusalem, Improvement Era, July 1919, 81516). And just as corruption of marriage among the Israelites set the stage for further development of human marriage, Israels unfaithfulness to God set the stage for further development of eschatological marriage. The names of the children coming from the marriage in chapter 1 represent Hoseas oracles and the various stages of Israels scattering, gathering, and restoration with the Lord. The images of mother and children in Hosea 2:45 seem to parallel the image of Gomer representing Israel as an entity in Hosea 1:3. Thus the mother is the nation; her children are the people of Israel. . The present tense language Jesus usesCan the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?is an indication of the inauguration of the realized eschatology his disciples already enjoy. . Verse 11 then describes the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, the reunification of the tribes of Israel, and the coming of the Lord to rule over the house of Israel forever more. . While Hoseas message carries with it proclamations of destruction and hardship, it also includes words of hope and reconciliation for Israel and its descendants. The most notable question arising from Hosea 1 has centered on the meaning of Hoseas marriage. For a few examples of Israel or its cities personified as a woman or wife, see Jeremiah 3:89, 14, 20; 5:7; Ezekiel 16:3035; 23:7; Nahum 3:4; Hosea 5:34; 6:10; 9:1. Marriage: Image of Gods Covenant with His People, The Theology of Thermometers and Thermostats, Saints Louis and Zlie Martin: Exemplars of Holy Family Life, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati: Defender of Hope. . As we have already seen, human marriage entered the world upon the creation of man. 20:25)and eventually corrected. Mark 2:18-20. This makes perfect sense, since the duration of marriage then mirrors its salvific purposesalvific instruments are of use only in this life and are of no use in heaven. [21], Hosea 1:10 marks a shift in Hoseas prophesyingfrom Israels separation from God to their eventual restoration with him. Hosea 1:6 then seems to pass into the next phase or portion of the word of the Lord through Hosea: And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. Instead, it was to instill a hope for the future based on the theme of obeying YHWH and following YHWHs lordship and on an explanation of Israels (hi)storical disasters in terms of a just retribution for Israels rejection of YHWH. Foundation One: God's Plan For Marriage. As they are gathering the preserved of Israel, they will also give the Gentiles an opportunity to be numbered with Israel and further fulfill the Lords covenant to Abraham that his seed would bless the nations of the Gentiles (Genesis 12:3). [33] The creation motif is used later in the chapter, but here the images depict Israels fall and destruction before she says, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now (v. 7). Elder Bruce R. McConkie defines becoming sons of God as follows: Those who receive the gospel and join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have power given them to become the sons of God (D&C 11:30; 35:2; 39:16; 45:8; John 1:12). Hosea 2 brings the covenant marriage metaphor between the Lord and Israel into focus. In the largely secular Baltic country of 1.3 million, 53% of the population supported same-sex marriage in a 2023 poll by the Centre for Human Rights. . 1.14.20). Jesus also refers to himself in nuptial language in the parable of the wise and the foolish maidens (see Matt. [20], Hosea 1:9 then describes another son, representing another phase of Hoseas prophetic teaching, who is named Lo-ammi (not my people), for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. The language here is often described in terms of divorce, especially in relation to the following verses. 4. This is the vertical reality that must be bent outward horizontally to our spouses if marriage is to display the covenant-making, covenant-keeping grace of God. 2. The book of Hosea applies to different dispensations and shows us glimpses of the past, present, and future of Israel through a divine lens. [14] Similarly, Hoseas message is both bitter and sweet, as will be seen in the names of the children conceived from this union. [30] For a description of this mercy in relation to the gathering of Israel, see 1 Nephi 13:3342. For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body (Eph. Maintaining such standards for Christian marriage helps to assure its eventual fulfillment in eschatological marriage where the Spirit and the Bride say, Come (Rev. Gale A. Yee comments, Hoseas accusations are targeted primarily at a male audience: the king and his political and cultic lite. Explore More On Marriage and Love. 19:6). . [30] In chapter 1, Hosea uses the image of a husband-and-wife relationship to describe judgments or aspects of his teaching that will come to pass. But there are no temporal markers beyond that, nor is any social or historical precise background given. I agree with Top. Israel is to be shown mercy, be gathered, and become the Lords people once again. Because of the ambiguity of the text and the lack of specific historical detail, readers from various generations have assigned a multifarious range of applications to the book. Since it signifies and communicates grace, marriage between baptized persons is a true sacrament of the New Covenant (CCC 1617). Even so, corruption infiltrated the institution of marriage even in ancient Israel. The figure of the harlotrous wife and children would, I believe, be readily understood at the time by the Hebrew people without reflecting on Hoseas own wife, or, if he was unmarried, on himself.[8]. What Does Marriage Picture? The Catechism makes this point: Since God created him man and woman, their mutual love becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man (CCC 1604). 19:7-9). For hundreds of years since the Exodus, God had protected, prolonged, and extended mercy to the people of Israel. It is no longer simply a matter of God and the Jews in a marital union tarnished by the brides frequent infidelity. [22] This reference to Abraham signals an important feature of salvation in Hoseas message. Hosea is sent to a kingdom that is nearly finished. The book of Hosea begins by stating that it contains the word of the Lord that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel (Hosea 1:1). Indeed, Christian marriage is an image of the New Covenant: it is indissoluble, life giving, and loving. The theme of marriage is prevalent throughout Scripture. Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler (New York: Oxford University, 2004), 1143. The prophets later allegorized Gods relationship with his chosen people utilizing human marriage imagery, thus revealing eschatological marriage. A covenant is a solemn promise, fortified by an oath, concerning a future action. . Most foundationally, marriage is the doing of God. . I. Being ordered toward procreation makes Christian marriage an image of the divine live-giving eschatological marriage. I will betroth you to me forever: I will betroth you to me with justice and with judgment, with loyalty and with compassion; I will betroth you to me with fidelity, and you shall know the Lord. The image we were created to bear wasn't complete without a representation of the salvation story: the story of Christ's covenant relationship with the church He gave His life for. Since Christian marriage is acknowledged as sacrament, it is an instrument of sanctifying grace (i.e., supernatural life). We read of the loss of opportunity to participate in sacred acts of worship (v. 11) and Israels eventual desire to repent and return to her husband. Our world is in desperate need of holy examples of permanent, life-giving love of a husband and wife in marriage so they can come to know the love of the Father. The text for this speech is unavailable. For more on this process, see Moses 6:62, 64, 7:1. The language is metaphoric, and the wife and children Hosea refers to represent the kingdom of Israel and its inhabitants. How Marriage Is a Picture of Christ and the Church Rev. . [21] See, for example, Hosea 2:1923; 6:13; 14:1. The sons of God are members of his family and, hence, are joint-heirs with Christ, inheriting with him the fullness of the Father (D&C 93:1723). Cultural Context Societies are built upon the family unit. The listing of Judahite kings first has led some to believe that Hosea was meant to be read and reread by diverse audiences (including Judah) over the years. The covenant of Abraham referenced in Hosea 1:10 lies at the heart of the promised restoration, and Hoseas message is a multigenerational call to repentance, hope, and responsibility in entering into and keeping covenants with the Lord. Lehi and Hosea may have thus seen similar visions of the destruction and restoration of their people. I believe there is ample evidence in the scriptures to demonstrate that Hoseas marriage is a metaphor of his message to the people. [25] Zechariah says of the coming of the Lord in the latter days, And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one (Zechariah 14:9), and Nephi states, And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture (1 Nephi 22:25; see also Mosiah 5:78). The covenant relationship will be restored, preparing for the day referenced in 1:11 when all Israel will be gathered and appoint one head. What follows in Hosea 2:18 draws upon the imagery of the Creation and points to the millennial reign of the Lord and the earths paradisiacal glory. Jehu was the king who had come to power in Israel by overthrowing the previous king in the city of Jezreel, beginning his massacre of the descendants of King Ahab. [32] It was a time when Israel had nothing and needed to rely on the Lord or perish. Christian marriage in its turn becomes an efficacious sign, the sacrament of the covenant of Christ and the Church. Ezekiel 37.1528), though it was never fulfilled., [25] Concerning this head, Ben Zvi writes, A similar rhetorical approach led to the choice of one head in the same verse, over the alternative king. The use of the former allows an allusion to Moses (cf. The restoration of Israel will precede this millennial reign of peace when the Lord fulfills the marriage described in Hosea: And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. In verse 5 the mother has played the harlot, going after political alliances that have led all Israel down paths of destruction (see Hosea 5:13, 7:11, 8:4). Yet, the readers of this set of prophetic readings know also that this head of the ideal future will be like Moses, but also a Davidic king.
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