Every Verse On A Topic Counts
There may be exceptions to many of God’s commands or expectations. Romans 13:8 tells us to not be in debt yet we think it is okay to go in debt to buy a house, car, or get a university degree. Mark 10:11 says there are no legitimate reasons to get a divorce yet Matthew 5:32 seems to offer an exception. Romans 13:1 tells us to obey the government but Acts 5:29 says that doesn’t apply if the government asks us to do something sinful. According to Proverbs 2:17, God expects us to have an intimate friendship with our spouse. Despite this, it appears that the Lord commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute or sexually immoral woman with whom that would not be possible.
Although Hosea was not doing anything that was clearly sinful, surely Hosea’s family and friends must have thought that he had lost his mind and missed God’s will. They probably would not have thought that God could have willed something different for faithful Hosea’s marriage than what He normally wanted for His loyal people. Hosea undoubtedly suffered a lot – and nothing he could have done would have significantly improved the situation. Poor marriage, poor sex life, poor family life, few (if any) invitations to minister. Who could he talk to about all this? How many would have believed his bizarre story? For what did he suffer all this humiliation, hardship, and deprivation? It was so the Lord could display some revelation in a way that was contrary to the beliefs of most in the religious community. Yet, that was enough for Hosea. Would it be enough for you and I?
Is it possible that the Lord might ask us to do something bizarre which would meet with widespread disapproval? Could God direct us to leave a church at which we cannot flourish, to give up a promising job, to wait when no one else thinks we should wait, to not disapprove of those who may be doing something which looks contrary to common sense, etc.? If the Lord still speaks to His sheep today then being directed by principles is fine – to a point. But God does call us to embrace the peculiar. After all, we are actually called a ‘peculiar people.’ How can we be one of His peculiar people if we never act in ways that are viewed as peculiar? Furthermore, if we are concerned about pleasing people or about our reputation, we will also be reluctant to ever embrace the peculiar. We will be unwilling to take up our cross and follow Him. We will stumble over His ways. Then both we and others will be poorer for it. Let us follow Him who loves us and knows what is best even if that best seems to be odd.
Comforting others is costly but worth it.