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: 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 - "prudent," literally, gifted with understanding [ naabown (H995), the passive of yaabeen, 'that he may understand'-which verb went before]. As "wise" refers to spiritual insight into divine truths, so "prudent" refers to practical wisdom. EPILOGUE, summing up the whole previous teaching. Here alone Hosea uses the term "righteous," or "just," so rare were such characters in his day. There is enough of saving truth clear in God's word to guide those humbly seeking salvation, and enough of difficulties to confound those who curiously seek them out, rather...

The Prophet, I have no doubt, very often inculcated what he here says, and frequently recalled it to mind, for we know that he had a constant struggle with extreme obstinacy. It was not only for one day that he found the people hard and perverse, but through the whole course of his preaching. Since then the Israelites continued, either openly to despise the Prophet’s teaching, or at least to regard as fables what they heard from his mouth, or to chide him in words, and even to threaten him, when he treated them with severity and when the Prophet saw that the wickedness of the people was irreclaimable, he, being armed with confidence, no doubt went forth very often among them, and said “Ye think that you shall be unpunished, while ye make a mock of what I teach; ye shall surely find at last that the ways of the Lord are right.” And I have already reminded you, that the Prophets, after hav...

9 Who profit by the truths the prophet delivered? Such as set themselves to understand and know these things. The ways of God's providence towards us are right; all is well done. Christ is a Foundation Stone to some, to others a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence. That which was ordained to life, becomes, through their abuse of it, death to them. The same sun softens wax and hardens clay. But those transgressors certainly have the most dangerous, fatal falls, who fall in the ways of God, who split on the Rock of Ages, and suck poison out of the Balm of Gilead. Let sinners in Zion fear this. May we learn to walk in the right ways of God, as his righteous servants, and may none of us be disobedient and unbelieving, and stumble at the word....

Verse Hosea 14:9. _WHO_ IS _WISE, AND HE SHALL UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS?_] What things? Those which relate to the _backslidings, iniquity_, and _punishment_ of Israel; and to the _mercy_ and _kindness_ of God in their promised restoration. _The things_ which belong to the work of _sin_ in the heart; _the things_ which belong to the work of _grace_ in the soul; and particularly _the things_ mentioned in this wonderful chapter. _PRUDENT, AND HE SHALL KNOW THEM?_] He who endeavours to _understand_ them, who lays his heart to them, such a person shall understand them. _FOR THE WAYS OF THE LORD ARE RIGHT_] This is the _conclusion_ which the prophet makes from the whole. All God's conduct, both in the _dispensation of justice_ and _mercy_, is right: all as i

WHO IS WISE AND HE SHALL UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS? - The prophet says this, not of the words in which he had spoken, but of the substance. He does not mean that his style was obscure, or that he had delivered the message of God in a way difficult to be understood. This would have been to fail of his object. Nor does he mean that human acuteness is the key to the things of God. He means that those only of a certain character, those “wise,” through God, unto God, will understand the things of God. So the Psalmist, having related some of God’s varied chastenings, mercies and judgments, sums up, “Whoso is wise and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord” Psalms 107:43. So Asaph says that God’s dealings with the good and bad in this life were “too hard” for him to “understand, until” he “went into the sanctuary of God;”

EXPOSITION HOSEA 14:1 The foregoing part of this book abounds with denunciations of punishment; this closing chapter superabounds with promises of pardon. Wave after wave of threatened wrath had rolled over Israel and come in unto their soul; now offer after offer of grace is made to them. O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God. The invitation to return implies previous departure, or distance, or wandering from God. The return to which they are invited is expressed, not by אֶל, to or towards, but by ער, quite up to, or as far as right home; the penitent, therefore, is not merely to turn his mind or his face toward God, but to turn his face and his feet home to God; he is not to go half the way and then turn aside, or part of the way and then turn back, but the whole way; in other words, his repentance is to be complete and entire, wanting nothing, according

WHO [IS] WISE, AND HE SHALL UNDERSTAND THESE [THINGS]? PRUDENT, AND HE SHALL KNOW THEM?.... Contained in this book, and particularly in this chapter; which expresses so much of the goodness of God and grace of Christ to Israel; though it may be applied to the whole Scripture, and to all the mysteries and doctrines of the Gospel, respecting Christ and his grace; and be a recommendation of these to the consideration of every wise and prudent man; where he will find enough to exercise his wisdom and understanding; though he need not be discouraged in his search and inquiry into them. It suggests as if there were but few such wise persons, and that they are the only wise men that do know and understand these things; and all others are but fools, let them be thought as wise as they will: FOR THE WAYS OF THE LORD [ARE] RIGHT; straight, plain, even, according to the rules of, justice and equi...

Hosea 14:1. _O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity._ When we fall by sin, we must regain our comfort by going back to the place where we lost it: «Return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.» Then, to help us return, God, through his servant, actually makes a prayer for us. Hosea 14:2. _Take with you words, and turn to the Lord:_ «What words am I to take?» asks the poor convinced sinner. «I cannot put words together.» Here are the words put into your mouth: Hosea 14:2. _Say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips._ Come with humble confess

CHAPTER 14 The Return and the Glorious Redemption _ 1. The exhortation to return (Hosea 14:1) _ 2. The glorious redemption (Hosea 14:4) Hosea 14:1. This chapter is a wonderful finale to the messages of Hosea. What tender entreaties! What gracious assurance! What glorious promises of a future redemption! it is Jehovah beseeching His people, those who had forsaken Him, outraged His character of holiness and who had despised Him. First is the call to return. God's hands are tied as long as His people stay away from Him and do not return to Him in true repentance. No true salvation and deliverance for His people is possible without a true heart return unto Him. It is this for which He looks and waits....

HOSEA 14:1 (Heb. Hosea 14:2). ISRAEL'S REPENTANCE AND YAHWEH'S FORGIVENESS. The section begins with a passionate appeal to Israel to repent and confess his sin (Hosea 14:1 f.). A promise of amendment (spoken by Israel) follows he will no longer put his trust in foreign alliances and idols (Hosea 14:3). Yahweh now assures Israel of forgiveness; His anger is turned away, and the regenerated people shall blossom as the lily (Hosea 14:4). Ephraim repeats his renunciation of idols, and Yahweh answers graciously, the dialogue being continued ...