View Hosea 14 in the note window.
Directions how to repent, ver. 1 - 3.
Encouragements to repent, ver. 4 - 9.
1: Fallen - Thy sins have involved thee in endless troubles.
2: Render - This will qualify and encourage us to give the sacrifices
which are more pleasing to God than calves or oxen.
3: The fatherless - All that are destitute of strength in themselves,
and destitute of help from others; all that being sensible of their own
helpless condition, look for it from God, who hath power, mercy, and
wisdom to help. Mercy - Both the fountain and streams of goodness too,
free grace, and rich bounty.
5: As the dew - I will refresh and comfort, and make fruitful in good
works, such as return to me. As Lebanon - As the cedars in Lebanon,
so shall the true Israel, converted backsliders, be blessed of God: so
flourishing and happy shall the church be under Christ.
6: His branches - His branches which are new sprung out, shall gather
strength, and shall multiply in number. The olive - tree - Which retains
its verdure all the winter and is rich in fruit; so the true Israel of
God shall flourish not in fruitless beauty, but in lovely fruit, even
in winter's of affliction and trouble. As Lebanon - The mountain famous
for cedars, where also were the trees that afford the frankincense, and
many flowers which perfume the air; such shall the spiritual fragrance
of the church be to God and man.
7: They that dwell - As many as unite to the church, shall dwell
under these spreading trees. Return - Revive and recover strength.
As the corn - Which dies ere it lives to bring forth fruit.
As the vine - Which in winter seems dead, but yet life, sap, and a
fructifying virtue is in it. The scent thereof - The savour of it to God
and good men shall be pleasing as the scent of the delicious wines of
Lebanon.
8: I have heard him - A gracious promise from God of hearing prayers.
A green fir - tree - As a weary traveller finds rest and safety under a thick
tree, so there is safety and refreshment under the protection of the Lord.
From me - Of God alone.
9: Shall understand - Which the prophet has delivered.
The ways - The ways which he would have us walk in towards him, his law,
his ordinances, his whole doctrine are all righteous and equal. And
the ways wherein God walks towards us, in afflicting or comforting are
all righteous and equal. Shall walk in them - Will approve them all,
justifying the righteousness of God's displeasure, and confessing
he remembereth mercy in the midst of judgment. And justifying the
righteousness of his precepts by endeavouring to observe them.
The transgressors - Wilful, obstinate sinners, stumble and are offended
at his commands, but more at his judgments; they cast off the one, and
vainly hope to shift off the other, 'till at last they fall under the
weight of their own sins and God's wrath.
