Hosea 2:18-19 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven… Betrothing or espousing was the bridegroom's taking the bride into a marriage-covenant. It was done publicly before witnesses, under a canopy or tent set up for that purpose. Some competent time intervened betwixt the espousals and the solemnising and consummating of the marriage. Infidelity during espousals was reputed and punished as adultery. Whomsoever Christ espouseth to Himself, He espouseth for ever. I. SINNERS MAY BE ESPOUSED TO CHRIST. As to the nature of the espousals. The parties are pleased with one another. As Christ left His Father's house for her, she gives up her own people and her father's house for Him. The glorious Bride-groom's consent to be her husband she finds in the word, which the Spirit applies to her, and which she by faith applies to herself. Sinners may be espoused to the Son of God. 1. This match was from eternity projected and concluded in the cabinet-council of the Trinity. 2. The Bridegroom and all His relations are well pleased with the match. 3. The lawful impediments of this match are all removed at the Bridegroom's expenses and pains. 4. The marriage contract is drawn up already and signed by the Bridegroom. 5. The proxies for the Bridegroom are sent forth to make suit for sinners their consent to be espoused to Him. 6. The Bridegroom has already put on His marriage robes. 7. The wedding garment for the bride is ready, being purchased at the expense of the Bridegroom. 8. The tent for the espousals is set up, even the Church. 9. The feast and seal of the espousals, namely, the holy sacrament, is ready, that the espoused bride may feast and rejoice in her Lord and husband. 10. Here are witnesses now. Here are the friends of the Bridegroom to bear witness to the espousals. II. THE PERPETUITY AND EVERLASTINGNESS OF THIS MARRIAGE COVENANT. 1. The espousals are for ever in design. Among men espousals are only for term of life. Christ takes the sinner with a design to be that sinner's husband from the moment of the espousals for ever: and His designs are immovable as mountains of brass. He takes her with the fixed purpose never to put her away while she desires to abide with Him: never indeed to part with her, though she should desire to go away. The soul consenting to the espousals takes Christ with a design to be His spouse for ever. 2. The espousals are for ever, in fact. (1) It is everlasting without interruption. Espousals stand firm in the case of the adversity of either party; in the case of the advancement of either party; in the case of desertion on either side. (2) It is everlasting without expiring, either at death, or at the world's ending. (T. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |