Hosea 6:6

Knowledge and mercy.

This verse may be regarded as embodying true religion. This consists in—

I. KNOWLEDGE OF GOD . There is a presumption here:

1. That man has a nature capable of knowing God.

2. That God has so revealed himself as that he may be known.

3. That God desires that men should know him.

II. MERCY TO MAN . This is the human side of religion. The laws of civil society enjoin justice, without which communities could not hold together.

1. The exercise of mercy towards man springs from a sense of mercy received from God.

2. It is prompted by the example of Christ's merciful life.

3. It is performed with willing cheerfulness.—T.

HOMILIES BY D. THOMAS