CHAPTER XIV _By the terrible denunciation of vengeance which concludes the_ _preceding chapter, the prophet is led to exhort Israel to_ _repentance, furnishing them with a beautiful form of prayer,_ _very suitable to the occasion_, 1-3. _Upon which God, ever ready to pardon the penitent, is_ _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 14:2. _TAKE WITH YOU WORDS_] And you may be assured that you pray aright, when you use the words which God himself has put in your mouths. On this very ground there is a potency in the LORD'S PRAYER, when offered up believingly, beyond what can be found in any human composition. And it m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 14:4. _I WILL HEAL THEIR BACKSLIDING_] Here is the _answer_ of God to these prayers and resolutions. See its parts: - 1. Ye have backslidden and fallen, and are grievously and mortally wounded by that fall; but I, who am the Author of life, and who redeem from death, will _heal_ all the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 14:5. _I WILL BE AS THE DEW UNTO ISRAEL_] On these metaphors I gladly avail myself of the elegant and just observations of Bp. _Lowth_. "These verses (Hosea 14:5) contain gracious promises of God's favour and blessings upon Israel's conversion. In the _fifth_ verse, it is described by t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 14:7. _THEY THAT DWELL UNDER HIS SHADOW SHALL RETURN_] The _Targum_ is curious: "They shall be gathered together from the midst of their captivity; they shall dwell under the shadow of _his_ _CHRIST_, and the dead shall revive." _THEY SHALL REVIVE_ AS _THE CORN_] The justness and beaut... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 14:8. _WHAT HAVE I TO DO ANY MORE WITH IDOLS?_] The conversion of Ephraim is now as complete as it was sincere. God hears and observes this. _I_ AM _LIKE A GREEN FIR TREE._] Perhaps these words should be joined to the preceding, as _Newcome_ has done, and be a part of God's speech to Ep... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 14:9. _WHO_ IS _WISE, AND HE SHALL UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS?_] What things? Those which relate to the _backslidings, iniquity_, and _punishment_ of Israel; and to the _mercy_ and _kindness_ of God in their promised restoration. _The things_ which belong to the work of _sin_ in the heart;... [ Continue Reading ]