I will betroth you to me forever.
I will betroth you to me
in righteousness and in justice,
in steadfast love and in mercy.
Hosea 2:19
Have you ever had an “everlasting gobstopper”?
It’s a fictional candy from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. (Nowadays, it’s also a real candy too, of course. Buy a box and you get lots of little brightly colored jawbreakers.)
In the famous 1970s movie, Willy Wonka promised a candy that would change colors and flavors … but could never be finished!
Wonka’s rival, Slugworth, worried, however, that an everlasting candy would ruin his business. You’d never have to buy more if your everlasting treat was never finished.
Marriage is designed to be an everlasting gobstopper rather than a quick consumable.
God himself models the everlasting nature that marriage is designed to be. In Hosea, he pledges commitment “forever” – even when Israel is unfaithful. The commitment is contingent on him and his character rather than us and our character.
And notice the nature of his commitment. It’s not for “happiness” and “romance.” It’s not for what “you can do for me.”
The purpose of covenantal marriage is “righteousness” and “justice.”
Is that the purpose of your marriage? No?! It should be.
Your marriage is designed by God to be a testimony to “righteousness” and “justice.” People should see you and sense God’s character. The world should be able to count on you and your marriage as a testimony to “steadfast love” and “mercy.”
But in the end, it’s …
· “steadfastness” (an everlastingness as tough as a gobstopper)
· character (“righteousness”, the desire to do the right thing)
· dependability (“justice”, surpassing desire and actually doing the right thing)
· “mercy” (forgiveness)
· and persistent “love” (in sickness and in health, til death do us part)
that lead to the true and long-term happiness that we’re all looking for.
In Christ’s Love,
a guy who wants to put
the real Slugworth
(the one with a pitchfork)
out of business
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