CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:2. PLEAD] Jehovah makes the demand, urges individual Israelites to reason with the _mother_, i.e. the nation viewed as one. The children were seduced, in danger of punishment, and as penitents must protest against her conduct. WIFE] Forfeited all claims to my protection. SI... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:6. HEDGE AND MAKE] Build _a wall_, a double enclosure of stones and thorns. In the East cattle are fenced with thorns and closes. God with determined purpose will interpose between Israel and her idols. BEHOLD, I WILL HEDGE] Exile and distress, and the inability of her gods... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:6. HEDGE AND MAKE] Build _a wall_, a double enclosure of stones and thorns. In the East cattle are fenced with thorns and closes. God with determined purpose will interpose between Israel and her idols. BEHOLD, I WILL HEDGE] Exile and distress, and the inability of her gods... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:8. NOT KNOW] Wilful ignorance and ingratitude, for she was taught by the law and the providence of God. PREPARED] Made and mended images of Baal, and devoted them to the support and extension of idolatry. HOSEA 2:9. RETURN] As if absent from men when they abuse his gifts:... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:10. DISCOVER HER LEWDNESS] Lit. uncover her shame. Sin decked out in gaudy colours, and covered with showy masks, shall be stripped and exposed to public shame. _None_ can avert the threatened punishment. _HOMILETICS_ THE EXPOSURE OF FOLLY.—_Hosea 2:10_ Warning follows w... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:11. FEAST DAYS] and festivals retained in worship should cease because abused. MIRTH TURNED INTO MOURNING.—_Hosea 2:11_ Israel had forsaken the temple of God, and worshipped idols under the form of a calf—had changed some festivals, and kept up all in outward form. The mo... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:12. VINES AND FIG-TREES] Esteemed _rewards_, wages of prostitution (Deuteronomy 23:19; Isaiah 23:17); the choicest produce of earth, denoting sustenance and prosperity, would be destroyed by Assyria (ch. Hosea 9:4). PROSPERITY TURNED INTO ADVERSITY.—_Hosea 2:12_ Festive re... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:14. THEREFORE] Nevertheless a promise of conversion (Hosea 2:14); and assurance of renewed covenant (Hosea 2:18). Misery draws mercy. ALLURE] in a friendly sense; decoy by words, persuade by love. God outbids the idols and displays his attractive grace. WILDERNESS] The way... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:18. BEASTS] Lit. (Job 5:23; Ezekiel 34:25); or figurative of peace, safety, and gospel times; the re-established Jews at friends with the heathen nations. BOW] War extinguished, and its instruments destroyed (Psalms 46:9; Ezekiel 39:9). HOSEA 2:19. BETROTH] Make a new coven... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 2:21. I WILL HEAR] The heavens pray to God, to give to earth its fertility; the earth and all creatures desire to satisfy the wants of God’s people; God is no longer scattering, but providing and planting. HOSEA 2:22 JEZ. =] the seed of God. HOSEA 2:23. WILL SOW] A promise a... [ Continue Reading ]