100. Strange Ways Of Love.

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. . - Hosea 2:14.

IN the former part of the chapter we find words of accusation and threatening most justly uttered towards a guilty nation. In this second portion we come to a passage of unmixed grace. The person dealt with is the same, but she is dealt with under another dispensation, even that covenant of grace of which we find an abstract in verse 23. God, intending to deal with his sinful people in love, speaks words which are of the most extraordinary tenor.

I. HERE IS, FOR HIS DEEDS OF LOVE, A REASON BEYOND ALL REASON.

The text begins with "therefore." God always has a reason.

The context describes the grossest sin, and how should God find a reason there?

1. God finds a reason for grace where there is none. Why else did he bless Israel, or any one of us?

2. God makes a reason which overrides all other reasons. Because his people will persist in being so evil, he will display more love till he wins them from their wanderings.

3. God creates a reason out of reasons against. "She forgat me, saith the Lord. Therefore I will allure her" (see all preceding verses). The great sin which is in itself a reason for judgment is by divine grace turned into an argument for mercy.

4. God justifies his own reasoning with men by a reason. According to the margin,"I will speak to her heart," is the promise of the text, and the Lord gives a "therefore" for it. He has a gracious reason for reasoning with us in love. The sovereign grace of God had chosen his people, and his immutable love resolves to win this people to itself, therefore it sets about the work.

II. HERE IS A METHOD OF POWER BEYOND ALL POWER. "I will allure her."

l. Allurement of love surpasses in power all other forces. It appears that other methods had been used, such as:

· Affliction with its thorny hedge (verse 6).

· Instruction with all its practical application (verse 8).

· Deprivation even of necessaries (verse 9).

· Exposure of sin beyond all denial (verse 10).

· Sorrow upon sorrow (verses 11 and 12).

The sweet allurement of tenderness would succeed where these failed.

2. Allurement of love overcomes the will to resist.

· Assaulted we defend, allured we yield.

3. Allurement of grace has many conquering weapons.

· The person, work, offices, and love of Jesus lead men captive.

· The freeness and abundance of divine pardon vanquish opposition.

· The grace and truth of the covenant defy resistance.

· The adoption and inheritance so graciously bestowed subdue the heart by overwhelming force of gratitude.

· The sense of present peace, and the prospect of future glory, allure us beyond all things.

III. HERE IS A CONDITION OF COMPANY BEYOND ALL COMPANY.

l. She is made to be alone. Free from tempting, distracting, or assisting company. All her lovers far from her. Her hope in them is gone.

2. Alone with God. He becomes her trust, desire, aim, love.

3. Alone as in the wilderness. Illustrate by Israel, who, in the wilderness, knew the Lord as Deliverer, Guide, Guard, Light, Manna, Physician, Champion, central Glory, and King.

4. Alone for the same purpose as Israel, for training, growth, illumination, and preparation for the promised rest: above all that the' might be the Lord's own separated ones.

IV. HERE IS A VOICE OF COMFORT BEYOND ALL COMFORT. "And speak comfortably to her."

1. Real comfort is given to souls alone with God. The divine speech is applied to the heart, and so its comfort is understood and appropriated, and effectually touches the affections.

2. Abundant comfort is bestowed, received, and acknowledged,—

· By renewed gratitude: "she shall sing there as in the days of her youth" (verse 15).

· By a more confiding spirit:"thou shalt call me Ishi," etc. (verses 16 and 17).

· By an established peace (verse 18).

· By a clearer revelation of eternal love (verses 19 and 20).

· By a surer sense of the eternal future and its marriage-union of endless bliss; for betrothal prophesies marriage.

Now let all this be known and felt, and we are sure the heart is won: there can be no revolting after this.

Let the prayer of each one of us be, —

O heavenly love, my heart subdue,

I would be led in triumph too;

Allured to live for God alone,

And bow submissive at his throne