Problem Solving God's Way

by: Jimmy Clark

"O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity" (Hosea 14:1).

The work of the prophets was to call the people to return to God. "Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD" (Zechariah 1:4). Prophets were always dealing with problems that called for repentance. Problem solving in spiritual matters has always been a challenge. Consider by looking at this simple passage how God sought through the prophet Hosea to deal with the matter.

1.      Identify the Problem. If one starts from the end of the sentence and works backwards, there is a series of progressive steps toward solving the problem. The last statement in the verse clearly defines the problem: "thine iniquity" (Hosea 14:1). There was and is no iniquity with God (cf. Deuteronomy 32:4); therefore, the problem lay with the nation of Israel. Iniquity is a very deceiving side of sin. The Hebrew root for the term iniquity means "to bend, twist" (Brown, Driver, Briggs Lexicon, p 730). It carries the idea of: to distort, pervert, or twist the truth into something it is not. Peter warned of this in his last writing when he stated, "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:16). Identifying the problem is the first step to problem solving. If one is wrong in what the problem is, then such only creates more difficulties.

2.      Indicate Consequences of the Problem. Once the problem is identified, then the consequences of the problem must be explored. Hosea stated, "thou hast fallen by thine iniquity" (Hosea 14:1). The word here translated "fallen" means "to stumble, stagger, totter" (Brown, Driver, Briggs Lexicon, p 505). The idea is that iniquity has tripped up the nation to cause it to fall or be overcome. Sin does not help one to stand and be firm. It is deceptive entity that leads to dire consequences. Therefore, mankind needs to see iniquity the way God explains it. The blessed do not pursue the path that leads to such consequences (cf. Psalm 1:1-2). The wise take heed to the admonitions. "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" (Hosea 14:9). Fools merely mock. "Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour" (Proverbs 14:9).

3.      Initiate Appeal to Solve the Problem. Seeing the cause of the problem and its consequences then leads to a call to return to the source of all blessings (cf. James 1:17). Hosea stated, "O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God" (Hosea 14:1). Whether the nation would acknowledge the fact that the true and living God was their only hope or not, such did not change that truth. The Lord God does not force man to turn and follow Him. He appeals out of goodness to lead men to repentance. Paul wrote in the book of Romans, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (Romans 2:4). As Hosea took Gomer back, the Lord would take Israel back. The appeal by many of the prophets was to the good of the nation (cf. Jeremiah 6:16). What any who are caught up in sin do with the appeal is a matter of choice. The Lord is righteous to extend mercy to those who will turn to Him and He is righteous to punish those who will not (cf. Romans 3:24-16; 11:22). The Lord's way of problem solving is a proven formula of success.