These last few words sum up the whole prophetic message of Hosea.
Are we walking in the ways of the Lord?
“The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.” (Hosea 14 v 9)
There is a beautiful verse in Exodus 33 v 11 where “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.”
A way is not just a thought, or a perceived attitude about something, it is how one lives their life.
It is the customs, institutions and achievements of a particular nation, people or group, it is called culture.
Is it possible to know the ways of God? Is it possible to truly know God? To know His culture?
Remember how Moses was around 81-82 years old when he asked God for something new? His task was to lead 10s of 1000s out of a country – these people were dysfunctional generationally. It was a hard task but the result would be wonderful. What does he pray? Was it, “Oh God help me, bless me, anoint me, appoint me, prosper me, help me, deliver me, fill me, reach me”?
Exodus 33 v13 Moses asked, “Teach me your ways.” Moses is asking God to show him His culture. I need to understand your culture, your ways, absorb your character into my character.
Hosea our prophet ends this message with a call for us all to know God’s culture, to pay heed to His commands and above all to walk and not stumble.
But at times God’s ways can be very strange. Hosea marry a prostitute? Why? Looking back we can see why but at the time that is a hard difficult way to walk. But that’s the Bible and the story of God isn’t it? Look at the cross!
The more we walk with what we know of God the more we will know His ways. The less rebellious we are the less we will stumble. It takes a lifetime and more to fully know the ways of God.
Maybe you don’t fully understand what God is doing or asking of you. You might not fully grasp the meaning but all you know is you need to surrender all and that is what you do.
And that my friend is all He asks of you!
Missions Paul 