Hosea 12:10

I have also spoken to the prophets,.... Or, "I will speak" (b); for this respects not the Lord's speaking by the prophets of the Old Testament who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; though

I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. I have also spoken by the prophets - literally, upon the prophets - i:e., my spirit resting on them.

I have also spoken by the prophets; Heb. and, i.e. since I would have continued Ephraim’ s peaceful state, I have spoken to them by my prophets, who have warned them of their danger, reproved them for their sins, entreated them to repent and do their duty; so I would have established them, my prophets spake plainly to them. I have multiplied visions; by many visions and representations of my mind, the duty of the people, what would be safe, what dangerous, by lively emblems set before the prophets, and by them told to Israel, I have advised and warned that I might yet settle them. I would have had them dwelt still in the peace, safety, and joy of festivals, therefore I have sent such as Hosea, Isaiah, Joel, &c. Used similitudes; parables, examples, actions: Isaiah goes barefoot, names his son Maher-shalal-hash-baz, to warn Israel. Betharbel’ s desolation is mentioned to prevent Samaria’ s. Hosea takes an adulteress to wife to bring Israel to sight and sense of their sin. All this and much more by my prophets, because I had compassion and would have made them dwell in peace and safety under my government. And yet uncounselable and unthankful Israel will not understand and comply, will not own their sins and repent.

Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.Ver. 10. I have also spoken by the prophets] And not suffered you to walk in your own ways, as did all other nations, Acts 14:16. The ministry is a singular mercy, however now vilipended, Isaiah 30:20. And I have multiplied visions] Whereby I have discovered thy present sins and imminent dangers, though thou hast said, "They shall find none iniquity in me," &c. The wit of mammonists will better serve them to palliate and plead for their dilectum delictum, their beloved sin, than their pride will suffer them once to confess and forsake it, though never so plainly and plentifully set forth unto them. And used similitudes by the ministry of the prophets] Heb. by the hand, which is the instrument of instruments (οργανονοργανων), saith the philosopher; so is the ministry of the word for the good of souls. It is called a hand, because it sets upon men’ s souls with the strength of God, and a certain vehemence. "Did not my word lay hold upon your fathers?" Zechariah 1:6. It is said, Luke 5:17, that as Christ was teaching the power of the Lord was present. "The gospel of Christ is the power of God," Romans 1:16; it is his mighty arm, Isaiah 53:1. Now it was ordinary with the prophets to use similitudes, as Isaiah 5:2 Ezekiel 16:3, which is an excellent way of preaching and prevailing; as that which doth both notably illustrate the truth, and insinuate into men’ s affections. Galeatius Caraeciolus, an Italian Marquis, and nephew to Pope Paul V, was converted by Peter Martyr, reading on 1 Corinthians 1:1-31. and using an apt similitude. Ministers must turn themselves into all forms and shapes, both of spirit and of speech, for the reaching of their hearers’ hearts; they must come unto them in the most wooing, winning, and convincing way that may be. Only in using of similes, they must, 1. Bring them from things known and familiar, things that their hearers are most acquainted with and accustomed to. Thus the prophets draw comparisons from fishes to the Egyptians, vineyards to the Jews, droves of cattle to the Arabians, trade and traffic to the Egyptians. And thus that great apostle, 1 Corinthians 9:24, fetcheth similes from runners and wrestlers, exercises that they were well acquainted with in the Isthmian games, instituded by Theseus, not far from their city. 2. Similes must be very natural, plain, and proper. 3. They must not be too far urged; we must not wit wanton it in using them: and let it be remembered, that though they much illustrate a truth, yet theologia parabolica nihil probat. theologial comparisions prove nothing. There are interpreters of good note that read this whole verse in the future tense and make a continuation of that promise in the verse before. I will speak by the prophets, sc.

Verse 10. I have also spoken] I have used every means, and employed every method, to instruct and save you. I have sent prophets, who spake plainly, exhorting, warning, and beseeching you to return to me. They have had Divine visions, which they have declared and interpreted. They have used similitudes, symbols, metaphors, allegories, c., in order to fix your attention, and bring you back to your duty and interest. And, alas! all is in vain you have not profited by my condescension. This text St. Paul seems to have had full in view, when he wrote, Hebrews 1:1: "God who, at SUNDRY TIMES and in DIVERS MANNERS, spake in time past unto the FATHERS by the PROPHETS." See the note on the above. Dr. Dodd supposes that there are three distinct kinds of prophecy mentioned here: 1. Immediate inspiration, when God declares the very words. 2. Vision; a representation of external objects to the mind, in as lively a manner as if they were conveyed by the senses. 3. Parables and apt resemblances.

10. It is not for want of warnings that this calamity comes upon the Israelites. In the most various ways has Jehovah spoken, not to, but by the prophets.Visions … similitudes] A prophetic vision is, properly speaking, an intuition of some divinely revealed truth clothed in ‘outward and visible signs’, but the term is also extended (e.g. Isaiah 1:1; Obadiah 1:1; Nahum 1:1) to the entire contents of a prophecy. ‘Similitudes’, i.e. parables whether implicit (as Hosea 9:10) or explicit (as Hosea 7:4-7; Isaiah 5:1-7).

I have also spoken by the prophets - Literally, “upon the prophets,” the revelation coming down from heaven upon them.

10, 11. In manifold ways Jehovah sought to warn the people. By the prophets — This is better than R.V. “unto” (compare Amos 2:11; Jeremiah 7:25).