Revealed.

I love the books of the prophets.  They are a portrait of You that can not be found any other place.  For everything that feels harsh there, there is a greater and more profound declaration of love that permeates the revelation of You.

Deep.  Tender.  Tough.  Resilient.  The way You describe Your love in Hosea pulls me to a screeching halt, to marvel at the profound.

Torn.

Your heart and voice are speaking to Your people, Israel, and to everyone grafted in, but, You could be easily just talking to me.

“But Me she forgot,”* and, who “loves the raisin cakes of the pagan.”*  

Your response, even in the fierceness of Your anger* over a heart distracted and turned away, is a heart that churns for Your people and a sympathy that is stirred up.*  

You say:

“I will allure her and speak comfort to her”*

“you will call me ‘Husband’ rather than ‘Master”*

“I have drawn You with cords of tenderness, bands of love,”*

“I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck, I stooped and fed them”*

and this one… “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely.”*

Hearts that have forgotten You.  Eyes that have seen You and then looked away to another.  Hearts stubborn and resistive.

All, passionately pursued.  You will love us freely.  

Do You pursue and love our hearts because Your perspective is so much broader than ours?  Or is it because Your love is so profound that every border is crossed and gives way to a broader perspective?  However it is defined, You love much.

Torn.  Your heart churns for Your people.  In the prophets we see Your passion.  Fiercely angered by callous rejection, and compassionately tender to woo and guide us back again.

Reconciled.

Refreshment is found in this stream of mercy and great joy comes in the arms of reconciliation.

You have loved us freely. 

* Clicking on *’s will open a new web page providing the indicated reference.