Jehovah God of Agape Love

In Greek, the word “love” can be expressed with four different words. Agape is one of these words, but it was rarely used by the Greeks because this kind of love is very uncommon. Agape love is a selfless, sacrificial love of care and giving. This word doesn’t apply to everyone, but is reserved for people with whom you have a covenant, with the most common being marriage. In marriage, both parties agree to make a covenant and are committed to upholding it. Therefore, this word implies a commitment and also speaks to an unwavering loyalty. It’s a love full of faithfulness that is true love. Agape is the only word that can express “God’s love.”

After condemning Israel’s unfaithfulness and rebellion in Hosea Chapter 14, God speaks a romantic love poem through the prophet Hosea! Even though the people were unwilling to “return” to God, God would proactively bestow grace and “turn away” His anger.

[Hosea 14:5-7] I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily, and his roots will be like the cedars of Lebanon. His branches will spread, and his splendor will be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. Those who dwell in his shade will return; they will flourish like grain and blossom like a grapevine. His fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Although inconspicuous, its effect on life is crucial. The climate in Israel’s dry season is arid with little rainfall. At night, the moisture in the air condenses on the cooler ground, forming “dew” which becomes the water source for plants and trees. “Dew” may not be obvious, but its impact is everywhere. “Lilies” need the nourishment of dew to grow and blossom, and travelers in the wilderness also depend on dew for survival. Just as dew descends daily, God will also provide enough grace for His people every day, so that “he will blossom like a lily and his roots will be like the cedars of Lebanon.”

These verses are filled with the passionate beauty of a love poem, with a third of the words also appearing in the Song of Solomon: “dew,” “lily,” “Lebanon,” “fragrance,” “shade,” “return,” “blossom,” “vine,” and “wine.” These are all metaphors used between lovers in the Song of Solomon. In the past, God likened Himself to the husband of an unfaithful wife; now, God uses this passionate love poem to show that He “will love them freely.” In the face of God’s “unfailing” Agape love, what else is there to say?