"A Big, BIG! Deal to God"
Brad Reiches
Nov 13 2006 12:39AM
Brad Reiches
Nov 13 2006 12:39AM
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Monday, November 13, 2006
GodThoughtsWired!
GodThoughtsWired!
"A Big, BIG! Deal to God"
"I delight in loyalty (hesed) rather than sacrifice."
"I delight in loyalty (hesed) rather than sacrifice."
Hosea 6:6
Loyalty is a big, BIG! deal to God. As I wrote in GodThoughts, Volume 1, "Of all the things God likes, I think LOYALTY is on top of the list" (pp. 138-139). In fact, "loyalty" is so significant to God that one of His names is "Jealous." "The Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a Jealous God" (Exodus 34:14). Just how important is loyalty to God? Consider the following words of Jesus,
"He who loves father or mother more than me
is not worthy of Me...If you deny Me, I will deny you."
-see Matthew 10:34-39; see also Luke 12:51
is not worthy of Me...If you deny Me, I will deny you."
-see Matthew 10:34-39; see also Luke 12:51
An EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE NIV (New International? or Non-Inspired*) rendering (among many) is found in Hosea 6:6. While it may be technically accurate, the translation chosen by the NIV editors is terribly out of context and misleading. Let me explain:
The Hebrew word "hesed," can rightly be understood as, "mercy, steadfast love, lovingkindness, loyalty and faithfulness," depending on the context.
However, it is almost universally acknowledged that the book of Hosea is all about faithfulness and loyalty. It illustrates God's unconditional love and loyalty to a faithless and disloyal people.
Hosea represents God, and Gomer represents God's children. So, when it comes to Hosea 6:6, the NIV translators (and the King James, for that matter) have completely missed it. Although "mercy" can be considered technically accurate, it is clear from the context that the correct rendering should be either "faithfulness," or, as the NASB suggests, "loyalty."
Why make such a big deal out of a right understanding of Hosea 6:6? Well, A) Because "I delight in 'mercy' means something completely different than 'I delight in 'loyalty.'" And, B) Because a right understanding of "loyalty" is clearly a "Big, BIG! Deal to God."
*For further study on this subject: "New International? or Non-Inspired," go to the GodThoughtsWired! archives dated, February 28-March 3, 2006).
Hosea represents God, and Gomer represents God's children. So, when it comes to Hosea 6:6, the NIV translators (and the King James, for that matter) have completely missed it. Although "mercy" can be considered technically accurate, it is clear from the context that the correct rendering should be either "faithfulness," or, as the NASB suggests, "loyalty."
Why make such a big deal out of a right understanding of Hosea 6:6? Well, A) Because "I delight in 'mercy' means something completely different than 'I delight in 'loyalty.'" And, B) Because a right understanding of "loyalty" is clearly a "Big, BIG! Deal to God."
*For further study on this subject: "New International? or Non-Inspired," go to the GodThoughtsWired! archives dated, February 28-March 3, 2006).
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