We often think about a relationship with God as being an exclusive property of the Gospels, Paul's, letter or the Christian Church. The scripture characterizes the Israelite's as having knowledge of God. The greats of the faith knew God. Abraham was called a friend of God. Moses spoke directly with God and Noah had a unique relationship with God. The key to each of these relationships is that God revealed himself to the people. The direct outworking of each revelation is that the individual then had a great impact on those around him. In short with this knowledge of God, we are blessed and expected to be a blessing to others. The mistake of which Hosea speaks further down in this passage is us 'forgetting' God in our day of prosperity and blessing. We must each individually strive to do great things out of the relationship with Yeshua/Jesus. We work, not to earn anything, but rather because God gave us much that we do not deserve. The overarching pattern of knowing God necessarily means that the individual must live as a blessing to other people.
