Thoughts for another day

Oct. 8, 2007

Today's verse: Hosea 14:9. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Reading the book of Hosea and coming to this verse, one wonders why it’s there. Because the book’s theme is simple enough and does not dwell on mysteries difficult to understand like in some other books; so this addition is a tad difficult to understand.

But we know Words in the Bible are not there for nothing. They talk of an essentiality of God. Let’s move to the Book to learn why. God asks Hosea, to marry a prostitute, which he does. Then his wife leaves him to continue in her adultery. This must have broken Hosea’s heart yet God asks him to give his love to her despite her depravity. At that point, she was in slavery to her paramour; still Hosea buys her back re-accepting her as his wife.

When we look beyond the surface into the prophet’s life and what happens in this story, we realize God talking of the relationship between Israel and Himself. Israel had strayed from God and prostituted herself to other gods and to idol worship. Yet, God in His mercy forgives her and redeems her. The essence of Hosea is about the love of God and His ability to forgive despite the gross act of Israel’s infidelity which breaks His heart; something very difficult to comprehend.

That is where; we come to today’s verse. Hosea through the tragic events in his life, understands God’s heart. So too is God’s expectation of Israel that through the tragedy He inflicts upon them, they will understand His forgiving nature. Wisdom assumes this knowledge to seep into her followers in understanding that God’s paths are straight to the just who walk in them. But to sinners, they are stumbling blocks, which bring them down.