A Hope Fulfilled - Advent Devotionalናሙና

Everyone loves a good love story. In my view, the greatest love story ever told is recorded on the pages of the divinely inspired Scriptures. For example, the Old Testament tells of the sovereign creator-God who chose a people for Himself and set His affections on them. However, it also tells of His fallen, rebellion-prone people who did not always respond in kind. Such was the situation in the northern kingdom of Israel in the 8th century BC. God had been faithful to His people, but His people were unfaithful to Him in committing spiritual adultery with Baal, the weather-god of fertility and agriculture. This story is told in parabolic form in the book of Hosea where we are told that God calls the prophet to marry a woman of unfaithfulness and to have children with her (1:2-3). Much like Israel, Hosea’s wife became unfaithful to him and was sold into slavery. Yet, her condition was not her conclusion. Hosea bought her from slavery and took her once again to be his wife and to live with him (3:1-3). The prophet’s relentless resolve provides a breath-taking picture of God’s redeeming love for His people.

Later in the book of Hosea God is portrayed in a different, but complementary manner. The prophet says of God, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1). In this case, God is presented not as a faithful husband, but as a loving Father who called forth His son. In centuries to come, an angel of the Lord commands Joseph to take his wife and Jesus into Egypt to avoid the murderous intentions of King Herod. Matthew presents their departure from Egypt after the death of Herod as the fulfillment of what the Lord had spoken through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 2:15; 11:1; Matthew 2:15-20). But this account reminds us of our own departure, not from a geographical place, but from the bondage of sin. Like Gomer, we were sold as slaves and unable to free ourselves. We had nothing to offer and no merit in ourselves. Nevertheless, God called His Son out of Egypt to redeem us from the power and penalty of sin. Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Let’s be sure to take time to reflect on the amazing love of God this Advent season. And let’s give thanks for the all-consuming, never-failing love that God has shown to us through Jesus Christ who came from heaven to redeem us as His very own. In love, God called Jesus. In love, God called us. So, what’s love got to do with it? Everything!

Prayer

Father, we thank you for loving us when we were unlovable. We thank you for being faithful to us when we were unfaithful to you. We confess our gratitude to Jesus for delivering us from bondage and for shining His glorious light into the darkness of our lives. By faith, we confess that we are the free and forgiven children of God. But we also pray that you would grant us the power of the Holy Spirit to live in a manner that is worthy of our calling. We pray for the ability to walk and talk in a manner that pleases you and brings glory to your name this Advent season. And we pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Scott Adams, D.Min., Ph.D., serves as assistant professor of Biblical Studies & Christian Ministry at the Regent University School of Divinity.