Let those who are wise understand these things.
    Let those with discernment listen carefully.
The paths of the Lord are true and right,
    and righteous people live by walking in them.
    But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.

Hosea 14:9

We don’t know who He was but someone gathered all of Hosea’s poems and sermons and the story of his marriage and arranged them in the form we now recognise as the book of Hosea which we have spent the last two weeks looking at.

We might not know his or her name, but we can in a sense hear their voice and listen to their advice. Most Old Testament scholars believe that this final verse was written by the compiler of the book. Its their summary of its message and relevance. It explains why they took the time and trouble to gather all the material to compile the book.

They remind us that everything that Hosea has been talking about, the seriousness of sin, the reality of God’s grace, are not theoretical but practical. We are not meant to just read and discuss the truths contained in Hosea we are to live them out.

The paths of the Lord are true and right,
    and righteous people live by walking in them.

Nike famously advertises its products by saying JUST DO IT! As we finish our look at the book of Hosea this ancient editor has the final word and speaks down nearly three millennia to say to us

JUST DO IT!

Walk in God’s ways

Live out God’s truth

Sort out your life, return to God, act justly, end compromise, stopping playing at religion, stop running and embrace God’s grace and express it to those around you.