The Old Testament gets a lot of flack.
I mean, you've got the Law.
And genealogies.
And prophecies that require an M. div to understand.
But I desperately need the Old Testament.
Because in it, I see the heart of God.
Because through it, God has shown me His love like He never had before.
The theme runs throughout. God blesses His people blessing upon blessing, lifts her out of the mire, clothes her, gives her food and jewels, and what does she do? She uses those blessings to go play the harlot with God's enemies, brazenly rejecting Him and pursuing others. God warns, God punishes, God pleads. And the theme, always the theme, is "return to Me." Return and all will be forgiven. Return and I will call you a virgin even! And as He's punishing them for their sin, turning them over to their enemies, fulfilling His promised consequences, He is also guaranteeing judgment on the nations who are taking advantage of His people and saying that one day His people will come back to Him and be pure in His sight.
Because it is all for the glory of His name. Because He is not going to let them go. Because even though she has openly committed adultery and prostitution, not by need or deception, but willfully, He still just wants her back.
That kind of love is unfathomable.
That is the kind of love I needed all the Old Testament to understand.
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