no longer

i've been reading a commentary on the minor prophets, which of course begins with hosea. this week, Hosea 2:16 really caught my attention... (twice actually - which means that the first blog entry remains unwritten or actually has been included together with this one):

the first english version of the Bible that i had looked at translates the verse "you will call me 'My Husband'" and "no longer 'My Master." i was meditating and praying through that idea... how i long for myself and for the students to which i minister to react in our relationship with God based on the true nature of His covenant with us: a loving relationship, rather than one of duty... ie. not saying "well, i'll do it because i have to" or afraid of punishment but out of joy of relationship and a longing for the pleasure of God. (understanding that HIS pleasure is what brings me pleasure).

well, when i was getting ready to type that all out the other day, i was caught up short when i read the esv (and subsequently several other versions). rather than translating the word to english "master," - it leaves it as the proper name "baal." that can throw a whole new twist into it - not saying that the first thought is not a good meditating/prayer point, but that perhaps it is not necessarily the main point that is being addressed here.

rather (and it makes sense understanding the entire context of hosea), the prayer should be that we as the people of God would return to proper relationship with our covenant God as opposed to pursuing and crying after other lovers. speaking personally and corporately - it is SO EASY to be tempted to "chase the skirts" of so many baals.

oh God, may i, may we return to our first love! do a Hosea 2:17 work in us... "remove the names of the baals from [our] mouth[s]!"