I Want to Marry A Hosea

Written by Doni // November 02, 2015 // Relationships, Singles

“I want to marry a Boaz.” I hear friends say that quite often. In fact, there was a quote that was posted on Facebook some time ago:

“To all the girls who are in a hurry to have a boyfriend or get married, a piece of Biblical advice: ” Ruth patiently waited for her mate Boaz.” While you are waiting on YOUR Boaz, don’t settle for any of his relatives; Broke-az, Po-az, Lyin-az, Cheating-az, Dumb-az, Drunk-az, Cheap-az, Lockedup-az, Goodfornothingaz, Lazyaz, and especially his third cousin Beatinyouaz. Wait on your Boaz and make sure he respects Yoaz…”

If you haven’t read Boaz & Ruth’s love story in the Old Testament book of Ruth, you should pick up the Bible and read about him.  His love for the woman who would become his bride is gentle, strong, attractive, purposeful and beautiful.  So, when someone says they want to marry a Boaz, what they are communicating is a desire to marry a Kinsman Redeemer; one who defends, provides, is hardworking and is a man of integrity.

Recently, I became prayerful about a different biblical person who I hope to someday marry.  I want to marry a Hosea.  If you are unfamiliar with this Old Testament prophet, the Lord called Hosea to marry a prostitute named Gomer.  God wanted to use Hosea’s relationship with Gomer as an example of how Israel continued to prostitute herself to surrounding nations.  Essentially, the Lord wanted to show Israel how much He loved this nation and His ache while she was disobedient.

As I read through Hosea, I was struck by his faithfulness to Gomer.  At one point, he had to purchase his own bride out of whoredom.  That, to me, was an incredible act of love.  As I re-read through Hosea, I became so desirous of a husband that looked like him.

I hope to marry a man who loves me because the Lord calls him to love me.  I want him to be faithful because his love for the Lord calls him to be faithful.  I desire for him to be a leader because he believes in the biblical role of a man being the head of a home. And I hope that he is a man of integrity because His fear of the Lord is both deep and balanced by his love for the Lord.  If a man loves the Lord above all others, he will love a woman well.

I know I will fail and I know I will sin against my future husband (if the Lord wills that I get married).  It’s inevitable.  It’s a guarantee.  I hope for a man who will love me despite the pain; who will be faithful despite the temptation; who will be trustworthy despite the difficulties; who will pursue me even after I push him away; who will purchase me even if I fall into prostitution.  That is love.  That is sacrificial.  That is biblical.  And that was the example Hosea gave.

I want to marry a Hosea.

– Doni
@DoniJac

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