Hosea 7

Hosea 7:1

VVHen I would have healed Israel] When by my Word I tried to correct the sinnes of my people, their secret wickednesse, and inward hardnesse hath manifested it self, as it often happeneth in bodily infirmities.

wickednesse] Heb. evils.

the thief cometh in] Into the house for to steal, meaning, that there was no one kinde of vice among them, but that they were subject to all kinde of wickednesse, both secret and open.

spoileth] Heb. strippeth.

Hosea 7:2

consider not in their hearts] Heb. say not to their hearts.

have beset them about] Like as it were with ropes and snares, that they may no longer escape judgemens. Proverbs 5:22. Or, the punishments of their misdeeds have bound them.

they are before my face] They commit their misdeeds boldly and openly. Or I keep them in minde, and they are alwaies present before me.

Hosea 7:3

king glad with their wickednesse] All their wickednesses are made occasion of their mirth and pastime, even by the Judges and Magistrates themselves. A sign of an extreame corruption.

Hosea 7:4

an oven heated] He compareth the rage of the people to a burning oven, which the Baker heateth still, till his dough be leavened and raised: and so they use all means to fulfill their unbridled concupiscence.

who ceaseth] Or, the raiser will cease.

from raising] Or, from waking.

Hosea 7:5

the day of our king] Namely, the day of his birth, or of his coronation; his Courtiers have perswaded him to drunkennesse: whereupon having laid aside all manner of Majestie, he hath done acts befitting a jester, or juggler.

with bottles of wine] Or, with heat through wine.

Hosea 7:6

For they have] When they have plotted some treacherie, they hatch it within themselves secretly, untill such time as the passion of desire or of revenge being come to the height, it do break out in effects. See Mic. 2. 1.

made ready] Or, applied.

Hosea 7:7

all hot as an oven] This rage discovers it selfe chiefly in their seditions, frequent conspiracies, and murders of their Kings, 1 Kings 15:27. & 1 Kings 3:9. 10. 21. & 2 Kings 9:14. & 2 Kings 15:10. 14. 25. 30.

there is none among] They are so possessed with their affection to evill, that they cannot think upon me, to call upon me in these publike disorders, nor to be rightly converted to me, Isaiah 64:7.

Hosea 7:8

mixed himself] By treaties, leagues, and commerce, which have brought them into participation of idolatrie and vices.

a cake not turned] As if he should say, he is neither raw, nor baked: which may be referred, either to the mixture and indifferencie of religions: or to that, that being as it were all fired by Gods judgements, he was not one humbled whit nor amended by it; but was still raw in impenitencie and obstinacy: like a cake that is burnt on one side, and dough on the other.

Hosea 7:9

gray hairs are] Which are a token of his manifold afflictions, or decaied strength.

here and there] Heb. sprinkled.

Hosea 7:10

pride of Israel] Chap. 5. 5.

for all this] For all the chastisements aforesaid.

Hosea 7:11

without heart] That is, without all judgement; as they that cannot tell whether it is better to cleave onely to God, or to seek the help of man.

they call to Egypt] To aide and relieve them: and would not come to me. See 2 Kings 15:19. & 2 Kings 17:4. Hosea 5:13.

Hosea 7:12

I will spread my net] I will curse their endevours, and make the issue of them to be to their ruine and confusion.

congregation] According to my curses made to the whole congregation of Israel, and denounced by my Prophets, 2 Kings 17:13.

Hosea 7:13

destruction] Heb. spoil.

yet they have spoken lies] When I have delivered them they have made false protestations to me of future faithfulnesse and service. Or they have spoken lies against me, attributing their deliverance to mn or to idols, and all their afflictions to me.

Hosea 7:14

they have not cried unto me] By true and sincere prayers of faith, but have onely howled when they have felt their evils: or through grumbling and impatience. See Job 35. 9, 10.

they assemble themselves] To make publike supplications, seeking only their own commoditie and wealth, and not passing for me their God.

Hosea 7:15

have bound] Or, chastened.

strengthened their armes] I have tempered my punishments, and I have given them strength to bear them, and not to be overthrown by them. Or, after I have scourged them, I have reestablished them.

mischiefe against me] By their rebellion and apostafie.

Hosea 7:16

they are like a deceit full bow] Psalms 78:57. They have no staidnesse no uprightnesse towards me, but are like a slackstringed, or ill-fashioned bow; or a bow which turneth in the archers hand, Psalms 78:57. Or a warping or casting bow.

rage of their tongue] Psalms 73:9. Because they boast of their owne strength, and passe not what they speake against me and my servants.