New Testament 119

New Testament 119

 

Stained glass of Hosea
The prophet Hosea, from a window in the cathedral at Augsburg, Germany

 

Matthew 12:38-42

Compare Matthew 16:1-2, 4; Mark 8:11-12; Luke 11:16, 29-32; John 6:30

 

The use of marriage as a metaphor for the relationship between God and his people runs throughout the Bible.  And, unfortunately, the image of adultery is just about as common, representing the infidelity of Israel to its covenant with the Lord.  (The parade example of that is in the book of the prophet Hosea, who surely received one of the most unusual and most unpleasant mission calls ever extended.)

 

This passage should be read in that light.

 

And, of course, the other metaphor used here is that of the prophet Jonah and his three days in the belly of the whale.

 

Rich images.

 

 


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