The Prophets use “love” in the ways we have seen already in the OT. There are the inappropriate loves (bribes, Isa. 1:23), false prophets and priests (Jer. 5:31), the sun, moon and host of heaven (Jer. 8:2), wandering from the Lord (Jer. 14:10), shame more than glory (Hos. 4:18), the evil rather than the good (Mic. 3:2), sacrifices offered with an evil heart (Amos 4:5), and a false oath (Zech. 8:17). Frequently God calls attention to Israels “lovers” (the nations, and thus their gods, from whom Israel sought help, Isa. 57:8; Jer. 22:20,22; 30:14; Lam. 2:1,19; Ezek. 16:33,36,37ab; 23:5,9,22; Hosea 2:5,7,10,12,13; 8:9; Mal. 2:11). There are a few references to “friends” which use the “love” term (Isa. 41:3 where Abraham is God’s friend; Jer. 20:4,6; Zech. 13:6, Christ, wounded in the house of my friends).
But what I find wonderful in the Prophets, in the messages of doom and calls to repentance, is their affirmation of God’s love for Israel.
· Isa. 43:4: Since I have loved you, therefore I will give men for you and people for your life, speaking of Israel’s future redemption.
· Isa. 63:9: In all their affliction He was afflicted. … In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.
· Jer. 31:3: I have loved Thee with an everlasting love!
· Hos. 3:1: As a picture of God’s love, He told Hosea to Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel.
· Hos. 11:1,4: When Israel was a child, I loved Him. … I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love. And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.
· Hos. 14:4: I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely.
· Zeph. 3:17: The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One to save; He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
· Mal. 1:2: I have loved you … in what way have you loved us? … Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated.
In response to God’s faithful love, the Prophets call Israel to love God in return.
· Isa. 56:6: Even the nations will love the name of the LORD to be His servants.
· Amos 5:15: Hate the evil and love the good; establish justice in the gate.
· Micah 6:8: What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Lastly, when it was time for God to keep His word and bring Israel back from Babylon, Daniel could pray, O LORD, great and awesome God who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him! This is the God Moses communed with on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 34:6-7). He had not and does not change!
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