Dowry, Hosea 2:19

“I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord” (Hos. 2:19).

Weddings are beautiful. Do I dare even think about that beauty, that love, that claiming by our Lord? The Lord assures me—yes. I come to you. I allure you. I will bring you through the desert to me. I will do all this. And I will betroth you, to me.

The Unseen One, in a present intimacy. Above the things I see and touch and get worried about, he has betrothed me to him. He has called me to himself. We walk in intimacy. And I dare get distracted? I dare look to others for this comfort, this love, this touch?

Our Prince comes with gifts, with the abundance from his heavenly storehouses, according to his riches. His dowry, the bride price he pays is righteousness, justice, lovingkindness/unfailing love, and faithfulness.

Righteousness—a promise clearer and purer than diamonds. A right standing with the Lord of All.

Justice—a deeper red than rubies that protects.

Lovingkindness/unfailing love—the covenant love, an unswerving commitment, no matter if we look astray.

Faithfulness—he will never leave us; he is dependable, our ever present help.

And these are the gifts he gives to me. He has not asked me to pay the dowry. These are treasures I cannot comprehend. Jewels whose reality surpass the shadows I seek now. I cannot touch them, grasp them--but yet they are more real than the things I hold now.

He spoke these words to me, reminding me of them, late at night to a soul restless and disturbed and doubting. “I have betrothed you to me. I have given you dowry gifts. I have paid the price. I am with you and for you. I am good. You doubt, you are disturbed, you question me. But look once again at what I have given you. I love you.”

And those simple words catch the heart, cause a gasp. Beyond imagination, but truer than what I see or feel. The Majesty of Heaven has claimed me.