he idolatry of the people. (1-5) God's judgments against
them. (6-13) His promises of reconciliation. (14-23)
Verses 1-5: This chapter continues the figurative address to Israel, in
reference to Hosea's wife and children. Let us own and love as
brethren, all whom the Lord seems to put among his children, and
encourage them in that they have received mercy. But every
Christian, by his example and conduct, must protest against evil
and abuses, even among those to whom he belongs and owes
respect. Impenitent sinners will soon be stripped of the
advantages they misuse, and which they consume upon their lusts.
Verses 6-13: God threatens what he would do with this treacherous,
idolatrous people. They did not turn, therefore all this came
upon them; and it is written for admonition to us. If lesser
difficulties be got over, God will raise greater. The most
resolute in sinful pursuits, are commonly most crossed in them.
The way of God and duty is often hedged about with thorns, but
we have reason to think it is a sinful way that is hedged up
with thorns. Crosses and obstacles in an evil course are great
blessings, and are to be so accounted; they are God's hedges, to
keep us from transgressing, to make the way of sin difficult,
and to keep us from it. We have reason to bless God for
restraining grace, and for restraining providences; and even for
sore pain, sickness, or calamity, if it keeps us from sin. The
disappointments we meet with in seeking for satisfaction from
the creature, should, if nothing else will do it, drive us to
the Creator. When men forget, or consider not that their
comforts come from God, he will often in mercy take them away,
to bring them to think upon their folly and danger. Sin and
mirth can never hold long together; but if men will not take
away sin from their mirth, God will take away mirth from their
sin. And if men destroy God's word and ordinances, it is just
with him to destroy their vines and fig-trees. This shall be the
ruin of their mirth. Taking away the solemn seasons and the
sabbaths will not do it, they will readily part with them, and
think it no loss; but He will take away their sensual pleasures.
Days of sinful mirth must be visited with days of mourning.
Verses 14-23: After these judgments the Lord would deal with Israel
more gently. By the promise of rest in Christ we are invited to
take his yoke upon us; and the work of conversion may be
forwarded by comforts as well as by convictions. But usually the
Lord drives us to despair of earthly joy, and help from
ourselves, that, being shut from every other door, we may knock
at Mercy's gate. From that time Israel would be more truly
attached to the Lord; no longer calling him Baali, or "My lord
and master," alluding to authority, rather than love, but Ishi,
an address of affection. This may foretell the restoration from
the Babylonish captivity; and also be applied to the conversion
of the Jews to Christ, in the days of the apostles, and the
future general conversion of that nation; and believers are
enabled to expect infinitely more tenderness and kindness from
their holy God, than a beloved wife can expect from the kindest
husband. When the people were weaned from idols, and loved the
Lord, no creature should do them any harm. This may be
understood of the blessings and privileges of the spiritual
Israel, of every true believer, and their partaking of Christ's
righteousness; also, of the conversion of the Jews to Christ.
Here is an argument for us to walk so that God may not be
dishonoured by us: Thou art my people. If a man's family walk
disorderly, it is a dishonour to the master. If God call us
children, we may say, Thou art our God. Unbelieving soul, lay
aside discouraging thoughts; do not thus answer God's
loving-kindness. Doth God say, Thou art my people? Say, Lord,
thou art our God.
he idolatry of the people. (1-5) God's judgments against
them. (6-13) His promises of reconciliation. (14-23)