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Hosea

Hosea 
Day 
Day 29

"I will betroth you to Me forever"

Text: Hosea 2:19

THE WORD “BETROTHAL”

We do not use the word “betrothal” today. But in this text and in the Scriptures, it is a word of great significance.

“I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me
In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;
I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the LORD.”
Hosea 2:19-20

1. “I will betroth you to Me forever”

a) The word “Betrothal” is used in the context of marriage.
i) It is like an engagement.
ii) But it is far more binding.
iii) It is essentially like a marriage contract.
iv) If there is a breaking of a betrothal, the proceedings are like that of a divorce.
v) It is in fact a solemn pledge.
b) A legal term
i) A betrothal is legally binding.
ii) The LORD binds Himself when He offered this betrothal pledge.

2. The words the LORD employed in the betrothal offered

a) “Forever”
God will bind Himself to Israel for eternity.
b) “In righteousness”
He will always behave righteously towards Israel.
c) “In… justice”
He will abide by His rule of justice.
d) “In lovingkindness”
He will always show lovingkindness to Israel.
e) “In… mercy”
He will always show mercy to His people.
f) “In faithfulness”
He will always be faithful to the nation.

3. “You shall know the LORD”

a) Israel will know that these are not empty promises.
b) God will fulfil every single word that He has uttered as a solemn promise to Israel.