Because They Do Not Know Me

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. —Hosea 4:6a NLT

I’ve been reading Hosea this week and have been blown away, once again, by the depths of God’s love for us. And the depths of His anguish when we walk away and “refuse to know” Him, as the verse above proclaims. Hosea, the prophet, was given the difficult assignment from God to marry an unfaithful woman, experience the pain of her leaving, and then bring her back. He would even have to buy her back because she sold herself into a sinful lifestyle. And when he brought her home? He was to have no relations with her. He was simply to redeem her and love her again.

Now that’s an object lesson! God’s people, who had seen Him rescue them from slavery in Egypt and bring them into a promised land, had left Him and worshipped idols. They squandered the beautiful relationship He offered and chose a tawdry lifestyle instead. And yet? He redeemed them and bought them back. This is our story, too. He loved us before we loved Him and died for us to redeem us while we were far away and rejecting Him. He still wants us near, no matter what we’ve done. That’s the kind of love God has for us.

God wants us to know Him. What does it take to know someone? We have to be interested in them. Study them, listen to them, learn their story. I can imagine God crying out Notice Me! in this passage and others in Hosea. This God who knit us together in our mother’s womb, who has numbered all our days, who counts the very hairs on our heads, who notices us constantly, intimately, lovingly as a father does a child he dotes on, wants us to notice and know Him.

We have been invited to be that close to the living God, who is filled with love for us. How can we possibly turn away from a love like that? God uses the imagery of a husband and wife to describe the deep intimacy He wants with you and me. The kind of “knowing” I share with my husband, Ray. I can often finish his sentences for him (although my goal this year is to be quiet so he can finish his own!). I know what Ray likes to eat. I know what annoys him. I know his family history and can recall stories he’s told me of times with his grandfather before I even met him. Ray and I have a rich history together because we’ve lived life together since we were just sixteen and falling in love. We have inside jokes. We have memories of sorrows we’ve shared and delights we’ve witnessed. God wants to have that kind of closeness with me …. with you.

God’s people will be destroyed if they do not know Him. “Hear the word of the LORD, O people of Israel! The LORD has brought charges against you, saying: ‘There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land’” (Hosea 4:1 NTL). Do you see what happens when we don’t know the Lord God? We forget how to love. We become faithless instead of faithful, selfish instead of kind. And that will destroy us.

God does not change. His love for Israel extends to all people everywhere. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son …” (John 3:16a NIV). Therefore, God wants you, and He wants me to know Him like I know my husband, Ray—even more. He wants us to know Him so well we can finish His sentences (although we probably should let Him finish His own). He wants us to know what pleases Him and what annoys Him, what angers Him, and what brings Him joy. He wants us to know His stories from ages past and create sweet stories and history with each of us so we can say, “Lord, remember that time You rescued me from _____?” And then smile together at the memory.

There is no greater joy than being loved and cherished and saved by God. Oh, let’s love Him back by knowing Him more and more, sharing our days and moments with Him, learning ever more about Him through the study of His Word, and leaning on Him in deep, abiding love. Learn the lessons Hosea taught us through his obedience. Let’s spend time knowing our wonderful God.

Father, thank You for highlighting the word “know” as I read Hosea. Thank You for wanting me to know You and be that close with You. Your love for me is rare and rich and marvelous! I want to know You and love You better and better with each passing year until the day comes when I am with You forever in the place You’ve prepared just for me. I love You, Lord. Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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