Solomon said that, as he considered them, there were some things that just kind of astounded him (Prov. 30:18-19). The way that an eagle interacts with air currents and majestically soars above the earth. The way a serpent can find its way upon a smooth rock . . . with no feet . . . leaving no trace . . . drawing warmth from the rock as its own. The way a heavy ship floats in a great sea . . . quietly making headway . . . cutting through waves . . . the water closing in behind it eventually leaving no trace of it’s passing. And finally, Solomon says, he is blown away by “the way of man with a maid” (NASB). That there was something about young love . . . the manner in which a guy woos and courts a girl, seeking to turn her towards himself. “Amazing,” he says.

I’m not even reading in Proverbs this morning, but this is what came to mind as I read again the unbelievable “love story” recorded in Hosea. Asked of God to become part of a living object lesson of the depths of Israel’s depravity and rejection, Hosea is told, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD” (Hosea 1:2).

And Hosea does . . . he takes such a wife. I don’t know if it took much to persuade her . . . “You can continue to live on streets, selling yourself for your next meal or, you can come live in my house and I will provide for you.” Sounds like a no brainer for her . . . sounds to me like Hosea’s getting stuck with “damaged goods.” And, if I’m reading it right, she bears him children, though, it sounds like he may not have been the father of any of them as she continues to ply her trade in the red light district. Eventually he’ll have to go and buy her the street again (Hosea 3:1-2). This, says God, is the way of Israel towards Him . . . kind of makes you a little sick to your stomach.

So, why does Proverbs come to mind this morning . . . get this . . .

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ . . . ” (Hosea 2:14-16a ESV)

“Behold I will allure her” . . . “I will court her” (MSG) . . . “I will win her back” (NLT) . . . “I will entice her” (Young’s Literal) . . . “I will woo her” (Pete’s impression). Really? This woman of the streets? You’ve given her a chance already . . . cleaned her up once . . . shared yourself with her despite her past . . . and she’s betrayed you, the reminders of her on-going betrayal thrown in your face every morning at the breakfast table as you feed someone else’s kids their breakfast. So, really? . . .you are going to continue to court her? To what depths will you go to rescue this woman of darkness who seems intent on not being rescued? To what extent will you pursue her? How intent are you to woo her to yourself? Answer: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)

“And I will betroth you to Me forever. I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.” (Hosea 3:19-20 ESV)

Oh, the way of a man with a maid . . . the way of the King of grace with the bride He desires . . . Amazing!

Though she disgusts me, I can’t help but see myself in Hosea’s wife. Once in love with the world . . . caring not for the God who created me . . . intent on pursuing the pleasures offered on the streets over the treasures offered in heaven. Though “good” by the world’s standards, my best was but filthy rags . . . my heart just as wayward . . . my internal GPS set on returning to the muck and mire. But in His grace . . . in His love beyond love . . . He patiently wooed me to Himself. He called my name repeatedly . . . I see now, how He protected me constantly . . . He give Himself for me unconditionally . . . and, to no credit of my own, He drew me to Himself. He brought me into relationship by His own blood . . . He has given me all blessings in the heavenlies as a co-heir . . . He has begun a work of purification and sanctification through His abiding Spirit. Oh! How I love Jesus . . . because He first loved me.

The way of THE MAN with this “maid” . . . Amazing.