Book of Hosea Chapter 14 Vs. 9

 A Plea to Return to the Lord

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. Hos. 14:9

Who is wise... Representative of the theme of the book, Hosea’s epilogue concludes the prophecy by presenting the reader with two ways of living (Deut. 30:19-20; Psalm Chapter 1). He appeals to all readers to be wise, to choose the Lord’s way, for His ways are right (compare Psalm 107:43; Eccl. 12:13-14).

מִי

mı̂y

me

An interrogitive pronoun of persons, as H4100 is of things, who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix: - any (man), X he, X him, + O that! what, which, who (-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.

חָכָם

châkâm

khaw-kawm'

From H2449, wise, (that is, intelligent, skilful or artful): - cunning (man), subtil, ([un-]), wise ([hearted], man).

and the just... The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those who are wise accept the salvation offered to them by the Lord, and then walk in that salvation. Those who choose God live in the righteousness that He has provided.

צַדִּיק

tsaddı̂yq

tsad-deek'

From H6663; just: - just, lawful, righteous (man).

but the transgressors... Those who reject the Lord shall die in their sin.

פָּשַׁע

pâsha‛

paw-shah'

A primitive root (rather identical with H6585 through the idea of expansion); to break away (from just authority), that is, trespass, apostatize, quarrel: - offend, rebel, revolt, transgress (-ion, -or).

כָּשַׁל

kâshal

kaw-shal'

A primitive root; to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication to falter, stumble, faint or fall: - bereave [from the margin], cast down, be decayed, (cause to) fail, (cause, make to) fall (down, -ing), feeble, be (the) ruin (-ed, of), (be) overthrown, (cause to) stumble, X utterly, be weak.

A word of wisdom

The book ends with a word on wisdom. One who is wise, and discerning will learn a threefold lesson from Hosea’s message. The ways of the Lord (i.e., His covenantal demands) are right. The righteous walk in (i.e., obey; cf. Deut. 8:6; 10:12; 11:22; 28:9; Jdg. 2:17) them and experience the blessings of loyalty. The rebellious (cf. Hos. 7:13; 8:1; 13:16) stumble over (not in) them in the sense that destruction (stumbling) is the direct result of disobedience. The broken commandments become the ultimate reason for their downfall (cf. Hos. 5:5; 14:1). May all who read Hosea’s words walk, not stumble! Amen, Amen!