“In that day,” declares the LORD, “you will call me `my husband’; you will no longer call me `my master.’ Hosea 2: 16 

God’s message here is a game changer.  ‘You will no longer have to serve me out of fear and obligation.  You will relate to me a new way, an invitation to love.’  

When I am a servant of one who owns me, intimacy is removed.  Yes, if I am faithful, if I work hard, and if I seek to please him, I can be rewarded in a personal ways.  This is as good as it can get as a servant though. 

• If I do an exceptionally good job at a given task, I can be singled out and given a bonus. 
• If he hears that a family member is sick, he can use his personal contacts to find a doctor.
• If he wants my family to feel special, I might receive a personalized gift at holidays. 
• If he is kind and considerate of his servants, he may learn the names of family members. 

But even with these kindnesses, I will still call him ‘sir’ and remember my place.  There will always be a fear of failing my master, of disappointing him, and potentially losing his favor.  I know that our relationship is not personal.  Favor has to be earned; it is not conferred. 

Ah, but God invites me to relate to him in a new way.  No longer a master, but a husband.  Our relationship is exclusive.  My name is written in red ink, through the sacramental rites of the New Covenant.  I am invited to live with Him in inner chambers.  He’s given me His name and access to all He owns.  I don’t have to beg or earn any rights.  All rights have been conferred and I can rest in this place of honor.  And even more, in the loving vows He made. I know that I am no random wife.  I am a chosen bride.  He planned it long ago and waited for me.

And when the door is closed and all is quiet, formalities are history.  What can be heard is love language.  ‘I am yours and you are mine.’  

Rather than wishy washy sentimentality or vague spiritual conviction, this is the beating volcanic heart of our new Adam nature in Christ.  This is the miraculous shift from external appearances to inner realities, from the impossible minutiae of law-keeping to the new morning mercies of grace.   Brenna Manning   THE FURIOUS LONGING OF GOD