A Match Made in Heaven
Scripture Reading — Hosea 1:1-9
The Lord said to [Hosea], “Go, marry a promiscuous woman …”
Hosea 1:2
Sometimes a husband and wife are so right for each other that we say their marriage is “made in heaven.” But people probably wouldn’t have said that about Hosea and Gomer. They could not have been more wrong for each other. Hosea was a prophet, and Gomer was a prostitute. Now, for some people this might bring another saying to mind—that “opposites attract.” But the only reason Hosea married Gomer was because God told him to. If ever there was a match made in heaven, it was this one.
The purpose of this arranged marriage was to demonstrate an important spiritual point. Just as Gomer was an unfaithful wife, so the people of Israel had been unfaithful in their relationship to God.
Our relationship with God is also like a marriage. The New Testament calls Christ the “husband” of God’s people, the church (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:21-33), and the church is his “bride” (Revelation 21:2). Like Israel, we too are unfaithful to God. But the gospel announces that Jesus is the faithful one who forgives our wandering ways and restores our broken relationship with God. This is why the celebration at the end of history is appropriately called “the wedding of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:7). Our life with Jesus is not only a match made in heaven. It’s a marriage that will last forever!
Lord, how wonderful it will be to serve you perfectly in heaven one day. Until then, help us to obey you joyfully and love you faithfully. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
About the author — Peter Hoytema
Peter Hoytema has been a pastor for nearly 30 years and has served congregations in Ontario and New Jersey. He is currently the pastor of a congregation in Strathroy, Ontario. He is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Grace, are the parents of four adult children.
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