Here are some explanations of some of the metaphors used in chapter 2. These explanations come from the LDS institute Old Testament manual.
v1) Ammi is "my people"
v1) Ruhamah is "having obtained mercy" or "those who have obtained mercy"
v2) your mother is the nation of Israel
v3) wilderness is the captivity of Israel
v5) lovers are the priests, priestesses and idols of the Canaanite temples or any one person that someone loves more than God
v5-9,13) bread, corn, wool and jewels are worldly valuables and treasures
v9-10) her nakedness and her lewdness refers to Israel's sin
v11-14) allure her means that Jehovah still cares for Israel and will try to win her back
v15) Valley of Achor, near Jericho means the Lord will restore Israel to great blessings
v16) Ishi is Hebrew for "my husband" eventually Israel will accept God as her Lord and Savior
v16) Baali is Hebrew for "my master"
v19-20) betroth thee unto me forever means the fullness of the new and everlasting covenant will be restored to Israel in the last days and eternal blessings will result from Israel's faithful marriage to Jehovah
v22) Jezreel means "God will sow" or "God will scatter"
I think it is important to note that Israel will eventually see the error of their ways and the Lord will take her back. This has already begun to be fulfilled. I think it is also important to note in 2:14 where Jesus says "I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her". I think this is good insight into how Jesus feels about us. Adultery was one of the few justifiable reasons for divorce. However, Jesus did not divorce Israel. It's possible for us to sin, be horrible people and even betray him significantly, and he won't give up on us. He'll still love us and try to help us.
No comments:
Post a Comment