“And I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice,
In lovingkindness and in compassion,
And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness.
Then you will know the Lord.”
Hosea 2:19-20
This youthful seeker come before a wise Sage requesting wisdom and knowledge on How to live a righteous life? In this seeker’s mind, he had many questions such as how to know God, and how to do that what is good, and finally, knowing exactly what God required of him.
The Sage asked the youth, “what is it that has brought you to me?” The youth replied, “I desire to learn all that is within the Holy Scriptures, for how ever long it takes, so I may learn how to live a righteous life.” The wise Sage looked deeply within the eyes of this youthful seeker, pausing for sometime before answering the following:
The important truths that you are to learn are those which is the most hateful unto yourself, do not do them unto your neighbor. Study those laws and truths, for they will become the very essence of the Faith for you, everything else about God and your fellowman is mere commentary!
Knowing God
The Hosea Scripture reference above suggests our Creator’s faithful love for His often-times unfaithful people. The Hebrew word Hesed means [loyal, steadfast, or faithful love.] This word stresses the idea of belonging together of all those who are involved in a binding covenant relationship. Hesed is used over 250 times in the Old Covenant, reflecting the following various meanings:
- Communion
- Deliverance
- Enlightment
- Guidance
- Forgiveness
- Hope and Praise
- Preservation
This Hosea passage of Scripture is so beautiful in many ways. Namely it defines the terms of a betrothal between the Creator and His people. It is a marriage that is eternal. It also expresses how this faithful love will be made possible, note the three I Wills in the passage, God has given His people His Word that it is His will that all of His covenants will come about only if we do our part.
Do What is Good and Required
As God commits to His part of the covenant, we who are seekers, must learn just what are our responsibilities. The very first thing that is required is that we are to seek moment by moment, the Face of God. Seeking the Face of God is to remain in the very position and presence where all of the promises that He has for us are granted due to our obedience to His will and Living Word.
Next we are to learn throughout our commitment in Messiah to fear the Lord our God, learn to walk in all His ways and Love Him, and serve the Lord our God with all our heart and with all of our soul. We are also expected to learn obedience through the trials/testings/temptations that we must go through. Finally, we are to learn to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Seeking and finding truth is only the very initial aspect of our life’s quest. The greater reality is remaining committed and obedient to terms of the covenant agreement to eventually receive and experience all of the benefits that the Kingdom of God offers.
He has told you, O man/woman,
what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
Grace and Peace
Alonzo E. Thornton