Spit and polish refers to taking something that is well used and making it new again.
In military vernacular it means to give attention to detail; to look neat and orderly; to work in precision with one other, even if it comes at the expense of operational efficiency.
What does spit and polish mean to the Christian? Does God berate us into perfection? Does he make demands on us until our appearance aligns with church etiquette?
One example of God’s spit and polish is found in Hosea 2:14-23. In this passage we learn that God wishes to give Israel a bit of his spit and polish. However, he does so with gentle hands.
Israel had been unfaithful to God. Her people had been scattered. In this passage Hosea tells us of the five steps in God’s restoration of Israel.
God woos Israel from her debauchery.
Verses 14-15 paint the picture of a lover drawing his beloved into a secret place in order to speak in private. He promises his love a restoration of all that she once possessed, including youth and hope.
God gives Israel a new term of endearment.
Verses 16-17 give us the new name by which God’s beloved will know him. He will be called Ishi, which is interpreted, “my husband.”
God makes Israel his bride.
Verses 18-19 tell of the joining of the bride and the bridegroom. God will betroth himself to Israel, and he will seal his betrothal with peace among men, as well as peace amidst the animals of the earth and sky.
God brings Israel into his house.
Verses 20-21 remind us that the entire world is God’s; and the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of God’s love for Israel. There is nowhere his people can go that they will not be with him.
God holds Israel up with pride before all the peoples of the earth.
Verses 22-23 offer us Israel as the instrument of God’s blessing upon the earth. As she has been scattered throughout the kingdoms of the earth, so she will be harvested and sown back in the land of her promise. God will proclaim that Israel is his people, and Israel will acknowledge that he is her God.
When God gives us a dose of his spit and polish, he uses his gentle love to make us new again.
Copyright © 2013 MyChurchNotes.net
Originally Published 8-15-13 in Healing