Hosea 2: 19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
In Jewish law (halakha), an official engagement, particularly one formalised through written conditions (tenaim), is considered a serious, legally binding commitment, not merely a promise to marry. Breaking such an engagement without a valid, rabbinically approved reason can carry significant penalties, including financial liabilities and spiritual repercussions.
If one understands the above, one will understand why Joseph could not break his engagement to Mary after knowing she was pregnant. Either he would have to pay a large sum of money as a fine or tarnish her reputation, which would be false.
We are considered the Lord’s bride because we inherit the promises of Abraham, and Abraham was considered ‘love’ (which is mistranslated as ‘friend’).
Spiritual marriage is unlike natural marriage, but interestingly, by understanding natural marriage, we understand spiritual marriage. Understand, even though there is no genealogical connection between a husband and wife, science confirms that a wife can suffer medical issues, such as diabetes or cardiac issues, from the husband, and vice versa. We need to remember Eve was born from Adam (his bone was used to create Eve).
God says when we are betrothed to Him, we will gain His nature, of righteousness, love, kindness, faithfulness, etc. What we need to see is that the prior verses say this happens after He takes the name Baalim out of our mouths, after His covenant with the beasts of the field (powers of natural disasters), with spiritual powers (evil spirits), pestilences, etc., which are unleased because we are far from Him.
The most important factor is that this period of suffering ends, and the beginning of betrothal starts with us knowing Him. The term Baalim/Baali means ‘unknown God’. Jesus, as man, manifested the Nature/Name of the Lord so that we know Him. We suffer because we do not know God, nor do we know Jesus.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You alone are God, and there is none other than You. People worship Baalim because they do not know You, nor do they know Jesus Christ, who manifested You in the flesh. Lord, we pray we know You more and more, seek to know Your Word deeper and deeper…
This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Hosea 2:17-18, 20
17 For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.
18 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and [with] the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.
2 Chronicles 20:7 [Art] not thou our God, [who] didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend {love} for ever?
Isaiah 41:8 But thou, Israel, [art] my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend {love}.
Hosea 2:16 And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, [that] thou shalt call me Ishi {man}; and shalt call me no more Baali {unknown God}.
Dated 20 Feb 2026
Bro Rollwyn