MONDAY 

ISH – Husband: Studying the Name

Ish is the Hebrew word for “husband” in Hosea 2:16. In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the bridegroom and the church as His bride.

Key Scripture 

Hosea 2:16, 19-20: “In that day, declares the Lord, you will call me my husband; you will no longer call me my master. I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness and you will acknowledge the Lord.”

Understanding the Name

God’s passionate love for Israel is reflected in the Hebrew word Ish, meaning husband. When it is applied to God in the Hebrew Scriptures, it symbolizes the ideal relationship between God and Israel. God is the perfect husband - loving, forgiving, and faithful, providing for and protecting His people. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the loving, sacrificial bridegroom of the church. Our destiny, our greatest purpose as God’s people, is to become His bride.

Questions

Put yourself in Hosea’s place and imagine what you would feel like if your spouse were a prostitute or a womanizer. Now think about how God feels when His people stray from Him. How do you think God responds to unfaithfulness?

What encouragement for your own life can you take from the story of Hosea and Gomer?

What encouragement can you take for the church?

TUESDAY - Praying the Name

Reflect On: Hosea 1; 2:16-20.

Praise God: Because He is not power or knowledge or wealth, but He is love.

Offer Thanks: That God has pursued an intimate relationship with you.

Confess: Any tendency to settle for less in your relationship with God than He intends.

Ask God: To reveal Himself to you as the one who loves you no matter what.

WEDNESDAY - Praying the Name

Reflect On: Hosea 1 and 3.

Praise God: Because His love does not blow hot and cold but is constant.

Offer Thanks: For the times God has pursued you despite your own unfaithfulness or lack of interest.

Confess: Any tendency to take your relationship with God for granted.

Ask God: To give you a heart of obedience to express your love for Him.

THURSDAY - Praying the Name

Reflect On: Exodus 20:4-5.

Praise God: Because He alone can satisfy us.

Offer Thanks: That God has not left you in the dark but has revealed himself to you.

Confess: Any attachment to things or people that gets in the way of your relationship with God.

Ask God: To free you so that you can worship Him in spirit and in truth.

FRIDAY - Promises Associated with God’s Name

Isaiah 54:5-8: “For your maker is your husband, the Lord Almighty is His name, the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit, a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God. “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.

In a surge of anger, I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, says the Lord your Redeemer.”

Isaiah 62:4-5: “No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah (meaning my delight is in her), and your land Beulah (married), for the Lord will take delight in you and your land will be married. For as a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”

Continued Prayer and Praise

Pray for yourself and for the church to remain faithful to God (Jeremiah 3:14, 20).

Remember that God is jealous for you (Exodus 5:8-10, 34:14).

Be glad of God’s fierce love for you (Song of Songs 8:6-7).

Reflect on Christ’s love for you as a member of His church (Ephesians 5:25-30).