Where, then, is your blessing of me now?
Summary: Paul’s desire for a blessing from the Galatians is not a casual request. Paul’s words are rooted in the deeply passionate love that God has for his Creation.
When Hosea first heard the voice of God speaking to him, he heard a strange message. The Lord said, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” (Hosea 1:2)
Hosea obeys God and marries a woman named Gomer, and they immediately start having children. Eventually, she leaves Hosea and presumably the kids. Whether she was looking for adventure or just a good time, the Bible doesn’t say. What it does tell us is that things didn’t turn out well. She ended up being sold as a slave.
God tells Hosea to take her back. Not only is he to take her back, he is to “love her as the Lord loves the Israelites” (Hosea 3:1). It wasn’t bad enough that Hosea had to take her back and love her, even after she dumped him, but he had to buy her back from the slave traders.
Why did God pick Hosea to suffer through this emotional pain and indignity?
We are not sure why God picked Hosea personally, but the Bible does explain what God was trying to accomplish. Hosea and Gomer were a kind of morality play. Their audience was the people of Israel. God was making the point that Israel was being unfaithful to him just as Gomer was to Hosea.
When you love someone, it is natural to want them to love you back. Unrequited love is a story as old as time itself. Time and again, God’s creation has turned its back on its Maker. Even Israel, the descendants of Abraham, forgot who chose them to be God’s own people.
But Christians are different, right?
After all, Jesus commanded us to “love one another” (John 13:34-35). And we do that, right?
Right???
When Paul heard that the Galatians had turned to a “different gospel” (Galatians 1:6), he could have thrown up his hands and thrown in the towel. But he didn’t. Instead, he poured his heart and soul into a letter that he hoped would win back the love of his new brothers and sisters in faith.
Paul’s memory of the love these people showed him when he was ill is sweet. His hurt over their turning their backs on the true gospel is real. His response is godly.
Application: Learn to love others as God loves you and me.
Food for Thought: What is Paul looking for when he writes, “Where, then, is your blessing of me …”?
In the context, this statement has to do with how the attitude of the church in Galatia has changed. They went from wanting to do anything for Paul, to seeing him as an enemy because he is telling them the painful truth out of love for them. This seems to be the train of thought in verses 13 – 20. I think what Paul is looking for is the same attitude they had before, not only for his benefit, but for theirs. They need to receive the truth he is sharing with them.
Thanks Rich!
It is a blessing when someone loves us and cares for us! To have that taken away is painful. To have someone who loved us turn to something that hurts them, perhaps eternally, is doubly painful!
Absolutely!
Ron
What is Paul looking for when he writes, “Where, then, is your blessing of me”?
The greatest blessing for Paul would be to see and hear of their living in their professed faith in Jesus.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; Acts 16:5
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:25
As we look back in our lives, our most joyful memories are those of our Lord using us to lead others to Jesus, and experience watching them grow in their faith as they totally enjoy their eternal life in Jesus NOW. This is our reward, our blessing and our greatest joy, the blessing Paul desires to see in their lives.
Thanks, Ron!
That is a great point! Being allowed to participate in God’s work is amazing! Allowing God to lead us in his work is a life skill. 🙂