Hosea 14:3

THE ORPHAN’S GOD

‘The fatherless findeth mercy.’

Hosea 14:3

This description of the pity and benignity of God is literally true. And the literal truth is suggestive of a wider sense in which the words may be employed, and a glorious principle of the Divine government precious to God’s people in every age. Israel might well renounce all other confidence in order to trust in Jehovah, in whom the very fatherless among the children of men find mercy.

I. The fact here asserted concerning the compassion of God revealed to orphans.—(1) The privations of the fatherless are many; they are without the guardianship, the bounty, the guidance, the affection of him who is most suited to watch over their childhood and youth. (2) The dangers of the fatherless are many; they are exposed to the designs of the crafty, and to the ill-treatment of the cruel. (3) God in many ways shows mercy to orphans. He raises up friends to care for them and to protect them. He opens up before them careers of usefulness and honour. He interposes often in a signal manner upon their behalf.

II. The larger fact concerning the spiritual history of mankind which these words suggest.—(1) By disobedience and rebellion sinful men have thrown off the Divine Father’s authority, have forfeited all claims to His regard, and have done their best to render themselves ‘fatherless’ in God’s universe. (2) The spiritual destitution and danger thus incurred have aroused the compassion of God’s heart, and have prompted His paternal interposition. Thus the gift of Christ, the outpouring of the Spirit, the means of grace appointed in the Church, are all instances of the Father’s mercy, and prove His infinite pity and His adopting love. O, for the spirit of sons, that we may cry, Abba, Father!