In Jeremiah it talks about Israel being God’s bride and how she was adulterous in his eyes. She turned away from the one true God and chased after false gods.
Jer 2:1-3
The word of the Lord came to me: “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:
“I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown. Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest;…”
Jeremiah 2:20, 23-25 (parts)
…you lay down as a prostitute…You are a swift she-camel running here and there,…sniffing the wind in her craving…you said, “It’s no use! I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.”
Jeremiah 3:14-15
“Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband. I will choose you-one from a town and two from a clan-and bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.
God refers to himself as Israel’s husband. When I think of God I normally think of a father, Savior, friend, but not a husband. Before coming on the World Race I didn’t like saying “God” and “intimacy” in the same sentence. I’ve had a deep relationship with God since I was young, but the word “intimacy” weirded me out. I thought the only person I would ever be intimate with would me my husband.
I was praying and unintentionally opened my Bible to Jeremiah. Many times the Holy Spirit speaks to me through the Word of God. Last month, I was struggling with loving and trusting God with my wholeheart. These passages came at just the right time. I realized that I was Israel. I am his bride. He is my husband. You may ask how can God be your husband? While I was journaling I wrote down some things I desire in an earthly husband.
(Partial list in no order)
1. Unconditional love
2. Has the deepest most intimate places of my heart
3. Knows me better than anyone: good and bad
4. Is passionate about life: people, justice,…
5. Encourages, strengthens, comforts, provides, protects, exhorts
6. Great father, best friend, a relationship with a strong foundation in Christ
7. Slow to anger, quick to forgive, doesn’t hold grudges
8. Pursues me and fights for me no matter the cost
9. Makes me want to be closer to God and be a better person
10.A man of integrity, loyalty, leader of his household
As I read through my list, I saw that God was all of these things to me. I see God in a whole new way and he is more real to me now than ever. God is my husband and it’s one of the most important ways I can view him.
When I put other things before God I’m committing adultery in God’s eyes. I want to be a faithful bride and I’m making a daily committment to God each morning by reading Psalm 63 and verses in Jeremiah 2 and 3.
Eventually I want an earthly husband, but I am focused on seeking God with an undivided heart. When I’m running toward God and my future husband is running toward God one day we’ll meet. But my main concern isn’t getting married, it’s falling in love with God over and over and over again. His love is new each day.
Are you committing adultery? Are you a she-camel chasing after false gods? What are you chasing after: marriage, jobs, vacations, popularity, … Is God your husband?
