Text For Friday, May 18, 2007

[barry]

<div align="left">Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Discreet, that he may know them?—Hos. 14:9.</div>
Instead of being guided by the wisdom and standards of this world, let us be determined to walk in God’s upright ways. (Deut. 32:4) Hosea did that for 59 years or more. He faithfully delivered divine messages, knowing that those who were wise and discreet would understand such words. What about us? As long as Jehovah allows us to give a witness, we will keep on looking for those who will wisely accept his undeserved kindness. And we are delighted to do this in full cooperation with "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matt. 24:45-47) A consideration of Hosea’s prophecy should help us to go on walking with God with everlasting life in his promised new world in view. (2 Pet. 3:13; Jude 20, 21) What a splendid hope! That hope will become a personal reality if we prove by word and deed that we mean it when we say: "The ways of Jehovah are upright." w 11/15/05 23-25b

[Candace]

Ya know, this really should be read in context for a better understanding of what Jehovah was communicating through Hosea:

(Hosea 14:1-9) 14 “Do come back, O Israel, to Jehovah your God, for you have stumbled in your error. 2 Take with yourselves words and come back to Jehovah. Say to him, all YOU people, ‘May you pardon error; and accept what is good, and we will offer in return the young bulls of our lips. 3 As‧syr′i‧a itself will not save us. Upon horses we shall not ride. And no more shall we say: “O our God!” to the work of our hands, because it is by you that a fatherless boy is shown mercy.’ 4 “I shall heal their unfaithfulness. I shall love them of [my] own free will, because my anger has turned back from him. 5 I shall become like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and will strike his roots like Leb′a‧non. 6 His twigs will go forth, and his dignity will become like that of the olive tree, and his fragrance will be like that of Leb′a‧non. 7 They will again be dwellers in his shadow. They will grow grain, and will bud like the vine. His memorial will be like the wine of Leb′a‧non. 8 “E′phra‧im [will say], ‘What do I have to do any longer with the idols?’ “I myself shall certainly give an answer and I shall keep looking on him. I am like a luxuriant juniper tree. From me must fruit for you be found.” 9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Discreet, that he may know them? For the ways of Jehovah are upright, and the righteous are the ones who will walk in them; but the transgressors are the ones who will stumble in them.

(I highlighted a few tidbits)

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As we have discovered, it&#39;s really important to dig into the Bible in order to be able to figure out who is discreet and faithful and who is not. May Jehovah continue to help us in our search for truth.

[Molly]

Ya know, this really should be read in context for a better understanding of what Jehovah was communicating through Hosea:

(Hosea 14:1-9) 14 "Do come back, O Israel, to Jehovah your God, for you have stumbled in your error. 2 Take with yourselves words and come back to Jehovah. Say to him, all YOU people, &#39;May you pardon error; and accept what is good, and we will offer in return the young bulls of our lips. 3 As‧syr′i‧a itself will not save us. Upon horses we shall not ride. And no more shall we say: "O our God!" to the work of our hands, because it is by you that a fatherless boy is shown mercy.&#39; 4 "I shall heal their unfaithfulness. I shall love them of [my] own free will, because my anger has turned back from him. 5 I shall become like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and will strike his roots like Leb′a‧non. 6 His twigs will go forth, and his dignity will become like that of the olive tree, and his fragrance will be like that of Leb′a‧non. 7 They will again be dwellers in his shadow. They will grow grain, and will bud like the vine. His memorial will be like the wine of Leb′a‧non. 8 "E′phra‧im [will say], &#39;What do I have to do any longer with the idols?&#39; "I myself shall certainly give an answer and I shall keep looking on him. I am like a luxuriant juniper tree. From me must fruit for you be found." 9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Discreet, that he may know them? For the ways of Jehovah are upright, and the righteous are the ones who will walk in them; but the transgressors are the ones who will stumble in them.

(I highlighted a few tidbits)

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As we have discovered, it&#39;s really important to dig into the Bible in order to be able to figure out who is discreet and faithful and who is not. May Jehovah continue to help us in our search for truth.[/b]

Thank you for that information, Candace. Context certainly does make a difference!

[eyes&ears]

Good morning :wave:

Points of help for me from today&#39;s text are in the first sentence.

"Let us be determined to walk in God&#39;s upright ways"

And also the closing sentence

"The ways of Jehovah are upright."


At this stage of my spiritual life and what I have allowed to happen to me due to following others without making sure of all things, becoming dull in my spiritual senses, almost falling totally into a spiritual coma, I refuse to try to figure out everything they throw out as DELECTABLE EDIBLES.

I will stay focused on main points that will help me RIGHT NOW,
and points I can use in the ministry, or anything I think is necessary Jehovah wants me to know for the future. Otherwise I will be forever spending time in trying to prove their gobbly gook is just that goobly gook.

Sometimes I just want to scream. :200:

I mean the constant repeating of FDS and cooperation is beginning to get nauseating.

THE BOOK OF HOSEA IS WONDERFUL THOUGH. I ENJOYED IT AND UNDERSTAND THOROUGHLY WHAT JEHOVAH WAS SHOWING ME.

OKEY DOKEY, my Friday ranting and raving is over. I love you all please excuse me I need more coffee. JUST KEEP HOLDING ON TIGHT TO JEHOVAH&#39;S WORD.

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Candace you are so right we better keep DIGGING IN THE BIBLE TO MAKE SURE OF WHO IS FAITHFUL AND DISCREET, ETC. ETC. ETC. I enjoyed your input as always and your spiritual insight. May Jehovah continue to bless you and how you MAKE SURE OF ALL THINGS. Thanks for sharing with us.

Sisterly love

E & E