And I Was Enticed

I've heard pastors say that nowhere in the Bible does God speak of His relationship with us as sexual. This is rather bazaar, I think, to separate the language of marriage from the idea of sexual union, when the Bible clearly connects the two. Still, many might think I’m taking this thought too far. But listen to the words of the men who wrote scripture. Jeremiah, when he pondered how his life and ministry came to such a low place, thought on his relationship with the Lord that had led him there and had the courage to utter these words: “O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed” (Jeremiah 20:7 NRSV). Other versions of this verse use nicer words such as deceived, or persuaded. But as Allan D. Wright points out in Lover of My Soul, this word is the same as in the law of Exodus where it commands that “If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and lies with her, he must pay a dowry for her to be his wife” (Exodus 22:16). It is the same word the Philistines used to tell Delilah what they wanted her to do to Sampson. God uses it in 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings when He asked who would entice a rebellious king.

My favorite use of this word is found in Hosea 2:14: God said, “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, bring her into the wilderness and speak kindly to her” (NASB Version). The New Century Version translates this word: “So I am going to attract her...” The whole context of this verse is Israel’s unfaithfulness. The reason why He is drawing her out to the quiet of the desert is because she is continually pursuing other lovers.

The second chapter of Hosea continues: “I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD” (19-20). Three times in Hosea God repeats I will betroth you; I will betroth you; I will betroth you. He tells her of how He wants to have a relationship rooted in righteousness, justice, steadfast love, mercy, faithfulness. Isaiah 62:5 tells us that even though we have rebelled against God, and committed adultery against Him, there is still hope, not only for faithfulness, but for real romance, love, and mutual enjoyment. “For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5).

Notice this sentence at the end of God’s re-instatement of Israel: “Then you will know the LORD.” How do I say this... this word ‘know’ is the same kind of ‘knowing’ in Genesis 4:1 that resulted in Eve becoming pregnant. What this means for us today, is that knowledge about God, and knowing God can be separate pursuits. Certainly Israel knew about the Lord. But God said, after we have committed, or covenanted together you will know me in a humble intimate way that only lovers speak of.