Hosea 12:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is perhaps the true meaning behind the declaration, 'And thou shalt turn to thy God,' where the warning is thoughtfully blended with encouraging promises. Ultimately, as though you are already facing discipline and suffering, God proclaims: ‘mercy and judgement supply, and draw near to your God at all times.’ It is akin to a master instructing a servant who is being chastised, with both compassion and authority: be wise and obedient, and heed your master’s commands. Similarly, the Creator appears to address Ephraim, who has been afflicted by the trials of conflict, saying, ‘supply mercy and judgement, and draw near to your God at all times,’ as if to convey that your afflictions arise from not maintaining a respectful and loving relationship with Me. Here, ‘mercy’ represents love, which fulfills the law, since ‘to him that is sincere does no evil,’ as articulated by the blessed Paul (Rom. 13:10). ‘Judgement’ signifies adherence to righteousness and the divine commands, as the law is termed judgement in the sacred Scriptures (such as 1 Sam. 10 and various others). Drawing near to God indicates a genuine attraction and inclination of the heart toward Him, accompanied by disdain for false gods or any created things, such as trees and stones. One who adorns themselves with good works and remains faithful, undeterred by the hindrances of sin, which often obstructs the path to God, will find communion with Him safeguarded. Consequently, those who seek closeness to God should consciously avoid anything that distances them from Him.

Within his mother’s womb, he killed his brother, and through his labor, he prevailed against God, becoming mightier before the angel and prevailing over him. While weeping and pleading for me, they discovered me in the house of ὢν, where it was proclaimed that the Lord God Almighty is his enduring remembrance. Therefore, you should also turn to your God, uphold mercy and justice, and draw near to Him at all times.

Since Ephraim has misled us and pursued falsehood to the extent of wavering between two neighboring nations, forming alliances with Assyrians and sending oil to Egypt, I now have all judgment with Judah and supervision over Jacob. Through this visitation, He invokes calamities and punishments, so that, after recompensing Ephraim according to his deeds, He may also reward Judah, who descends from Jacob, in alignment with his ways and efforts; for Judah did not fall by happenstance nor succumb to human frailty, rather he actively sought and found opportunities for sin and downfall. It is emphasized how many blessings Judah, or Jacob, received; he is regarded as a son through his father’s lineage, and their previous actions are recounted to clarify both God's mercy towards Jacob and his steadfastness against the Lord.

While still in Rebekah’s womb, he caused the demise of his brother Esau—not by his own capability, since he lacked reason—but by the mercy of God, who knows and loves those He has predestined. He not only killed his brother while in the womb but also stood firm against the angel when Jacob wrestled with him all night long. Because he stood resolute before the angel, he received the name εὐθυτάτου, which in Hebrew is Isar, meaning to straighten or correct. He overcame the angel, growing stronger through the blessing of the one he had conquered. He wept and implored the angel, declaring, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” When he fled to Mesopotamia at his parents' advice, he found that same angel at Bethel, speaking to him and, in turn, addressing us; through Jacob, He cherished Judah, and to this day, the name bestowed upon him by the angel and God endures.

Therefore, you too, O Judas, emulate your father, weep and implore the Lord of Hosts, and return to Him. Observe mercy and justice, and trust your God in every circumstance, excelling in virtue through righteous deeds. In the original Hebrew, it states, “I cried and pleaded with Him; at Bethel, I found Him, and there He spoke to us," while the common translation reads, “They cried and begged Me; in the house of ὢν, they found Me, and there it was spoken to them.” Here, ὢν signifies sorrow. Thus, anyone who weeps, repents, and seeks the Lord will discover Him in the revival of their heart, and if they call upon Him, they shall receive an answer.

Through Judas, we can discern a member of the Church who is chastened by the Lord for failing to recall the prior blessings received, instead compounding sin upon sin. When the Church bore you through faith, you killed your brother—whether Jew or Gentile—gaining his birthright and, due to your strength, standing firm before the angel, either defeating opposing powers or gaining strength from the blessings received from the angel, who is God Himself; and in a figurative sense, you overcame the angel to prevail over men, growing stronger.

Having achieved this victory, you began to weep and plead with the angel of the Lord, recalling your former transgressions, and discovered him at Bethel—that is, in the house of God, which is the Church, or in the house of ὢν, indicative of the trials of tears and repentance. It is noted that when it is said, “He spoke to us,” it refers to us Christians, as from that time onward, we bear the name of Christ, who corrects and sustains us. Thus, you, a member of the Church called Judas and confessor, consistently turn in repentance towards your Lord, and should you stumble, emulate the prophet who proclaimed, "I will wash my bed with my sighs; I will wet my bed with my tears." Do not restrict yourself to mere words; instead, uphold the commandments of God, show mercy to others, so that you may also be forgiven. Render justice fairly so that you shall be judged by the same standard, trusting in your God continually, drawing near to Him while excelling in virtue.

Here, both God and Angel refer to the same being, as also referenced by the blessed Moses. For our Lord Jesus Christ is identified by Isaiah as both a mighty God and an angel of great counsel (Isaiah 9:6). Crying and praying to Me: they found Me in the house of Onoba, and there I spoke to them. Other interpreters, such as Aquila, Simmachus, and Theodotion, conveyed this message about Jacob, stating that he cried out and sought Him, finding Him at Bethel; for when Jacob fled from his brother's malice to his uncle Laban, he encountered divine revelation at Bethel, receiving God’s promises. It was said to him, "Do not fear, Jacob, for I am with you" (Genesis 28:13, 15). With tears, Jacob likely expressed his faith, saying that if the Lord provided him with food and clothing, and allowed him to return safely, then the Lord would be his God; the stone he set up would be a house of God, and he would give a tithe of all he acquired to Him (Genesis 28:20-22). Upon returning to that place, he remarked, "With this staff I crossed the Jordan, and now I have become two groups" (Genesis 32:10). Thus, the interpretations by Aquila and Symmachus indicate that God revealed Himself to Jacob at Bethel, where the idol of Ones is now located. The translators of the Septuagint shift from singular to plural, teaching that Jacob, through his faith, received God’s protection, while you, deviating from this path and intending to repent, did not seek the temple dedicated to Me, but instead sought help while complaining before the idol of Ones. Even after such an affront, I manifested My presence to you, providing responses in those places where I was called upon. This is also evident from the prophet Amos, who delivered his prophecies in Bethel, the residence of the idol of Ones. Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, warned him, "Go prophesy in the land of Judah, but do not prophesy in Bethel, for it is a king’s sanctuary" (Amos 7:12, 13). But the Lord Almighty shall be remembered. Show mercy and justice, and approach your God continually. With such a Sovereign Lord, who governs all, always keep Him in your thoughts, adhere to the truth, be loving towards your neighbor, and consistently follow God's commandments. In doing so, as you draw near to God, you will find Him to be a willing intercessor.

Through His Word, all are able to perceive the one God, the Father, who encompasses all and imparts existence to everything, as it is written in the Gospel: No one has seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has made Him known (John 1:18).

Since humanity is fashioned after the Infinite, mere physical satisfaction cannot suffice; thus, even when one attains worldly desires, fulfillment remains elusive, revealing a longing for something greater. The intellect, reflecting the nature of the Infinite, can only satiate its thirst with eternal truths, while the heart finds true joy only in the boundless goodness of God. This sentiment echoes the words of the King-Prophet who declared, ‘I will be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness’ (Ps. 17:15). A different prophet instructs us to ‘return to your God’ consistently (Hosea 12:6). Additionally, the Apostle encourages us with the assurance of mutual closeness: ‘Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you’ (James 4:8).

Yet, how is it possible for humanity to approach the invisible and unfathomable God? One obviously cannot instantly traverse from earth to heaven with body and soul, crossing the gap from the visible to the unseen realm. However, one can redirect the faculties gifted by God—those that reflect His image, unfettered by physical limitations—toward Him. This involves consciously focusing thoughts and desires toward the Divine, engaging with God through contemplation, prayer, faith, and love. This journey to God is not without obstacles, stemming from imperfections inherent in our nature that touch our will, and from external influences that are also marred and diverting from the Creator’s goodness. While we acknowledge our capacity to think as we choose, how often do our aspirations for God falter, slipping back to earthly distractions? Even though our desires originate from within, there are moments when those inclinations conflict with our pursuit of spiritual and eternal goods, pulling us toward transient pleasures and away from our longing for God. This parable counsels us to align our works with God, hoping that in doing so, our thoughts will be strengthened: ‘Draw your works near to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.’

Can we truly hope to ascend to God with genuine thoughts and desires if we neglect to shape our actions similarly? Although the spirit ought to dominate the flesh—the spirit ‘indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak’ (Mark 14:38)—a genuine spiritual thought can scarcely flourish when it stands in opposition to actions disconnected from a spiritual purpose, combined with the tendencies and habits that can arise from frequent actions contrary to such aims. Therefore, if you wish to approach God steadfastly in your thoughts, prayers, and expressions of love, it is imperative to imbue all your deeds with a spiritual intent, guided by aspirations directed towards Him. ‘Draw your works near to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.’

You may inquire how you can draw your actions closer to God. As I have indicated, this is accomplished by treading your endeavors in the light of divine purpose. I refer not to immoral or sinful actions; those cannot be brought near to God and must be firmly rejected. Rather, I speak of good or at least neutral deeds—common in life but not necessarily oriented towards God. Strive to perform these without forgetting God, acting out of willful consciousness rather than mere habit or impulse; otherwise, you risk distancing them from divinity, which can subtly or overtly keep you from Him. For instance, if you wish to assist your neighbor, do not seek glory or human acknowledgment; for then, you draw your efforts towards humanity instead of God. Avoid performing acts without mindful attention or heartfelt engagement; lifeless actions hold no vitality, thus failing to draw nearer to the Lord. Offer your gift to the needy with the desire for God’s mercy: ‘Be merciful, as your Father is merciful’ (Luke 6:36), and that act will reach God through the person in need, bringing you closer to Him.

If you serve in a public capacity, do not let the thrill of zeal be born from a longing for accolades or higher status; instead, recognize your role as ‘God’s servant for your good’ (Romans 13:4). Serve faithfully, so that in doing so, you also serve Him, and your earthly contributions will lead you closer to your eternal homeland. When working to fulfill earthly duties, avoid the temptation to echo the wealthy man from the parable: ‘Soul, you have ample goods ... relax, eat, drink, and be merry’ (Luke 12:19). The parable warns that such thinking leads to folly and sudden ruin. Instead, follow the Apostle's teaching: ‘There is great gain in godliness with contentment’ (1 Timothy 6:6), and learn to ‘be rich toward God’ (Luke 12:21) through just earnings, moderation in consumption, service to those in need even from your limited resources. ‘Whatever you do, whether eating or drinking or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’ (1 Corinthians 10:31). Even the most humble of actions, devoid of substance without proper intention, can be heightened through a noble perspective, thus ‘bringing them near to the Lord.’

As you begin a new endeavor, invite God into it through prayer for His blessing, and seek His support for its fulfillment. When considering deeds already completed with success and benefit, do not allow pride to take precedence; instead, bring those accomplishments back to God, expressing gratitude for His guidance in those successes and offering up the incense of a thankful heart.

This application of Solomon's parable is particularly fitting as we reflect upon the life of our Most Pious Sovereign, whose new season reflects upon all that came before him with expectation and the days ahead with honor. Today marks his twenty-fifth year as a divinely ordained and anointed Monarch. How many memories crowd this anniversary! So many triumphs for the Church and kingdom—through warfare and peace, through legislation and governance, in elevating all ranks and classes, through acts of generosity, alleviating the suffering, mitigating calamities that even human strength could not resolve, and sometimes by standing firm during turmoil.

How does he commemorate this day? How does he honor it? His thoughts rise above all earthly ambitions: he ‘draws his works near to the Lord.’ Together with his beloved consort and family, he journeys from his new capital to the ancient one, kindling the holy fire of reverence to offer God the incense of a grateful spirit in the very temple where he received divine consecration.

This solemnity is of the utmost importance, as it manifests a direct connection to God—a profound joy that resonates with heavenly delight. Truly, Russia, you call your King most pious. Rejoice in this truth, and strive to embody the honor of that title, cultivating a faithful pursuit of holiness, ‘drawing your works near to the Lord’ through dynamic faithfulness and adherence to His commandments. Thus, when you look upon His precepts with steadfastness, you may proclaim with assurance: ‘I shall not be ashamed,’ I shall stand firm, being secure in power and glory, ‘when I consider all Your commandments’ (Psalm 118:6). Amen.