Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Hosea
Book: Hosea
Chapter: 2
Overview:
The
Idolatry of the people.
(1-5) God's judgments against
them.
(6-13) His promises of reconciliation.
(14-23)
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.
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.
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.