Efraim! wat heb Ik meer met de afgoden te doen? Ik heb hem verhoord, en zal op hem zien; Ik zal hem zijn als een groenende denneboom; uw vrucht is uit Mij gevonden. [ (Hosea 14:10) Wie is wijs? die versta deze dingen; wie is verstandig? die bekenne ze; want des HEEREN wegen zijn recht, en de rechtvaardigen zullen daarin wandelen, maar de overtreders zullen daarin vallen. ]
Wat betekent dit?
This verse asks who is wise and prudent enough to understand the right ways of God, which are followed by those who do what's just, while transgressors will fall away. Hosea speaks here, emphasizing that God's ways lead to righteousness and avoiding them leads to failure.
Uitgelegd voor kinderen
Imagine you have a treasure map with clear paths and traps for thieves. The wise kids find the treasure because they follow the good path, but sneaky ones trip into traps. This verse says following God’s right way is like finding that treasure!
Historische achtergrond
Hosea wrote this during the eighth century B.C., to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He speaks to a people who have turned away from God and seeks to call them back, using vivid imagery and moral persuasion.
Toepassing voor vandaag
In modern terms, consider someone choosing between two career paths: one ethical but challenging, the other easy but dishonest. The wise person will choose the right path, succeeding ethically; the unethical choice will lead to downfall or regret.