Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Hosea
Book: Hosea
Chapter: 3
Overview:
The
Prophet enters into a new contract, representing the
gracious manner in which
God will again restore
Israel under a
new
Covenant.
1-3 The dislike of men to true religion is because they
Love
objects and forms, which allow them to indulge, instead of
mortifying their lusts. How wonderful that a holy
God should
have good-will to those whose
Carnal mind is
Enmity against Him!
Here is represented
God's gracious dealings with the fallen race
of mankind, that had gone from him. This is the
Covenant of
Grace he is willing to enter into with them, they must be to him
a people, and he will be to them a
God. They must accept the
Punishment of their
Sin, and must not return to folly. And it is
a certain sign that our
Afflictions are means of good to us,
when we are kept from being overcome
By the temptations of an
afflicted state.
4-5 Here is the application of the
Parable to
Israel. They must
long sit like a widow, stripped of all joys and honours; but
shall at length be received again. Those that would seek the
Lord So as to find him, must apply to
Christ, and become his
willing people. Not only are we to fear the
Lord and his
greatness, but the
Lord and his
Goodness; not only his majesty,
but his
Mercy. Even Jewish writers apply this
Passage to the
promised
Messiah; doubtless it foretold their future
Conversion
to
Christ, for which they are kept a separate people. Though the
first fear of
God arise from a view of his holy majesty and
righteous vengeance, yet the experience of
Mercy and
Grace
through
Jesus Christ, will lead the
Heart to reverence
So kind
and glorious a Friend and
Father, and to fear offending him.