Biblical definition of Obedience:
Romans 1:5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for His name’s sake.
Character study
Hosea – The Book of Hosea chapters 1-14
He was one of the most obedient prophets in the Old Testament
His name means “salvation.” He is the first of the 12 Minor Prophets in the Old Testament.
In Hosea 1:1 we read that Hosea was the son of Beeri and he prophesied during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah were kings of Judah, and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.
His message was primarily for the northern kingdom of Israel, but he occasionally refers to the southern kingdom of Judah.
In v2 When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD.
Hosea did not hesitate and he obeyed immediately. He married Gomer (1:3) and had three children whose names are symbolic and therefore prophetic messages.
His firstborn was named Jezreel, (1:4-5) and means “God Scatters” Hosea’s message was to King Jehu’s dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel (2 Kings 10:1-11)
His second child was a girl named Lo-Ruhamah (1:6) which means “Not Loved”. God was no longer going to show love to the people of Israel or forgive them.
His third child’s name was Lo-Ammi (1:9), meaning “Not my people.” Because Israel was abandoning God, God in turn was leaving them alone and there will be no more blessings.
Hosea is known for his:
Obedience
God revealed to Hosea ahead of time that his wife would be unfaithful to him. She had three children whose names are symbolic of God’s punishment of Israel for their unfaithfulness. Chapters 1-3 represent God’s relationship with His people.
In chapters 2-3 Gomer left Hosea to pursue her lusts, but Hosea found her, redeemed her, and brought her home fully reconciled.
The key verse in the Book of Hosea is:
Hosea 3:1 The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”
What the Bible teaches about obedience.
Old Testament:
Exodus 23:20-33 In this passage God gives Israel “A Promise of the LORD’s Presence”(NLT). The Lord promises that an angel will protect them on their journey. God was sending an angel to guard them on their way. All God wanted from them was to be obedient.
Deuteronomy 4:39-40 God commanded the Israelites on numerous occasions that He requires obedience from them when they have entered the Promised Land. For their obedience, they will enjoy a long life in the land God is going to give them.
In Nehemiah 1:1-11 we read the beautiful prayer Nehemiah prayed before the God of heaven. He was exiled to Babylon and received sad news about those who had returned from exile and were now in trouble and disgrace. He was also told that Jerusalem’s wall was broken down and its gates had been destroyed by fire. When he heard this news he wept, and for some days mourned, fasted and prayed. In his prayer, he recognized God’s holiness; he asked God to hear his prayer; confessed the people’s sins and his sins; and asked God to help him when he approached King Artaxerxes.
In Psalm 119:1-176 the word relating to obedience appears 30 times i.e. 119:4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
All the psalmist of Psalm 119 wanted to do was to be obedient to God’s laws.
Isaiah 1:1-20 Isaiah has “A message for Rebellious Judah”(NLT) The LORD reasons with the people of Judah and says in v19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; (In v4 “The Holy One of Israel” means the southern kingdom of Judah.)
New Testament:
Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32 tells us that as Jesus walked along, He saw Matthew (also called Levi) sitting at his tax collector’s booth. Matthew shows obedience when Jesus says to him: “Follow me” So Matthew got up and followed Him.
In Acts 5:12-16 the apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. From verses 17-42 the apostles meet opposition from the high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees. They were arrested and put in jail.v29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! There will be times in our life when we are faced with situations to choose to either be obedient to God or man. This is the time you must choose to obey God and trust His Word.
Romans 6:2-16 Paul tells the believers in Rome that they can become slaves of whatever they choose to obey – either be slaves to sin or choose to obey God.
To wholeheartedly obey God means to “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” So many times we obey God’s commands “half-heartedly”. As we daily obey God wholeheartedly, He will give us the power to obey Him with all our hearts.
In Ephesians 6:1- 9, Paul gives instructions to children, parents, slaves and masters regarding obedience.
He says that the children should obey their parents as this is the first commandment with a promise.
As a child, we have to be obedient to our parents, while under their care. As an adult, we have the responsibility to honour our parents, all the days of their lives.
In Philippians 2:12-18 Paul writes to the Philippian believers that when they obey God with reverence and fear, God will be working in them giving them the desire and power to please only Him. He wants them to be shining as stars for Christ.
Application:
Many important people in the Bible are examples of obedience i.e. Moses, Joshua, David, Job, Daniel, Paul, Barnabas and most of all Jesus, who was obedient to the end, when He died for our sins on the Cross.
Our obedience to God is important to Him.
1 John 5:2-3 It proves to God our love for Him.
Hebrews 11:6 Our faith in God pleases Him because we acknowledge His existence.
1 John 2:3-6 It demonstrates to God our faithfulness to Him.
1 Peter 2:12 Being obedient glorifies God in the world.
John 13:17 We will receive blessings from God when we are obedient to Him.
Being obedient to God shows that it is not that we have to obey His commands, but because we want to.
Being deeply rooted in the Lord we can live a life of joy, being assured that we truly know God.
The NIV Bible sums up obedience for us in Psalm 128:1” Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to Him.”
Conclusion:
1 John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. v4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
Responding in Prayer:
Read Psalm 84:1-12 – A Prayer of Yearning for God’s Presence in your Life.
We all yearn to be obedient and faithful to the Lord, but we also have trouble being obedient and remaining faithful. Come to the Lord in faith, worshipping Him with praise, honour and glory. Confess your disobedience and be assured that the Lord’s forgiveness will bring true joy. Continue in adoration, praise and thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for you.
(All Scriptures are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise stipulated)
Journal – Scripture/Prayers/Thoughts: