Tuesday, October 30, 2007

The Call

"Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."
"Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love..."

"Then the Lord will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.

"Surely he has done great things.
Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things.
Be not afraid, O wild animals, for the open pastures are becoming green. The trees are beaing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
Be glad, O people of Zion,
Rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.
The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

"Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed."

Joel 2:12ff

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Hosea the Cuckold

I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.
... I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.'
I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people', and they will say,
'You are my God.'