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… In the worst times God will have always a people that shall justify wisdom. Some are foolish; not caring for the ways of God, cavilling at them. But the "just shall walk in them," that is, they take a contrary course to the world that slights wisdom. In ill times, let us labour to justify truth, both the truth of things to be believed and all just religious courses. 1. Men must have spiritual life, and be just, before they can walk. Walking is an action of life; there must be life before there can be walking. Unless there is first spiritual life in the inward man there will not be a harmony and correspondency betwixt a man and his ways. 2. Because a just man is also a prudent and wise man, he walks in God's ways. Spiritual wisdom and prudence lead to walking in obedience.What things doth this walking in the ways of God imply? 1. Perspicuity. Those who walk in the ways of God discern those ways to be God's ways, and discern them aright. 2. Resolution to go on in those ways till he come to the end, though there be never so much opposition.How shall we know whether we go on in this way or not? 1. When earthly profits and pleasures seem little, and heaven and heavenly things seem near. 2. It implies a uniform course of life. 3. He who would walk in God's ways must be resolute against all opposition whatsoever.The use of this teaching may be — 1. Reprehension unto those who can talk, but not walk; that have tongues, but not feet. 2. It is for instruction, to stir us up to walk in God's ways. 3. It is for consolation. If this be our walk, then God will walk with us, and the angels of God shall have charge of us, to keep us in all our ways. ( Sibbes, Richard, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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