The Hedge (#251 of 365+)

A common thread that weaves through the entire Bible is God’s faithfulness and holiness in spite of man’s sinfulness. Every person God used to carry out tasks for his kingdom purposes was
seriously flawed—from the Old Testament patriarchs to the disciples and apostles. The nation of Israel, people hand-picked to bring forth the Messiah, was in a constant state of rebellion. Sometimes it was obvious, like when they would marry foreigners and openly worship false idols. But at other times their discontent barely bubbled up to the surface. They would complain: “We don’t have a king like other nations do… The grass was greener back in Egypt…” When I read those stories about their failures I always see a reflection of myself.

“Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way. She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now’” (Hosea 2:6-7)

The Lord was speaking figuratively as though Israel was a woman he had made a lifelong commitment to. His beloved Israel had grown dissatisfied with their marriage and wanted to pursue her dream of happiness elsewhere. She had no idea how well he had protected her over the years. She thought the marriage covenant was a thorny hedge that trapped her where she didn’t want to be. But it was actually the very thing that kept her healthy and alive. Without her Protector she’d be lost in a world of thieves, con artists, and wild beasts.

He was going to allow her just a little taste of where she would be without him, all the while keeping an eye out for her safety. She would quickly realize how good she had it with him.

“You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5)

Lord, thank you for placing hedges in my life to protect me from harm. May I be content with your plan for my life and willing to trust you a little more every day. Amen.