Hosea 14

— for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.] God is often said to take especial care of “the fatherless.” He gives particular command “not to afflict any fatherless child,” Exod. xxii. 22; He doth “execute the judgment of the fatherless,” Deut. x. 18; He is therefore styled “the helper of the fatherless,” Ps. x. 14; and “a Father” to them, Ps. lxviii. 5; and it is delivered as an expression of exceeding great anger towards the people, that “He will not have mercy on the fatherless,” Isa. ix. 17. The Israelites, therefore, being now in such a condition, as may be well signified by the appellation of “fatherless,” are taught to take with them in their address to God that name, of great efficacy in moving Him to mercy, and even, as it were, challenging it as a privilege. Dr. Pocock.

Hosea 14:4

4. I will heal their backsliding, &c.] God’s gracious answer to the professions of repentance; assuring them of his being reconciled to them, and, as a token of it, freeing them from their sins and the consequent punishment due to them; compare chap. xi. 7: and embracing them with a true love and affection, without any remembrance of their former provocations. W. Lowth.

If all the Israelites had turned to the Lord their God at the preaching of the Gospel, and believed in his Christ, they would have found this promise made good to them all. As many of them, as were converted to Him, enjoyed the benefit of it, where or however they were dispersed; and doubtless shall still do so, as many as shall at any time come in to Him, wheresoever they remain. Dr. Pocock.

Hosea 14:5

5. I will be as the dew unto Israel: &c.] I will be comfortable and refreshing unto Israel, even as the dew is to the summer grass: so that he shall grow up in beauty as the lily, and in strength and height as the cedar in Lebanon. Bp. Hall. Most interpreters understand Lebanon to be here figuratively taken for the forests growing on it. Dr. Pocock.

— as the lily.] After the first rains in the autumn, the fields about Aleppo every where throw out the autumnal lily daffodil; and the few plants, which had stood the summer, now grow with fresh vigour. Dr. Russell.

shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and || grow as the vine: the || scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

Hosea 14:6

6. — his smell as Lebanon.] The mountain is celebrated by travellers for the fragrance of the greens, that clothe its sides. Maundrell found the great rupture, “which runs at least seven hours’ travel directly up to the sea, and is on both sides exceeding steep and high, clothed with fragrant greens from the top to the bottom.” Bp. Horsley.

Hosea 14:7

7. They that dwell under his shadow shall return.] Most interpreters translate the sentence thus: They shall return, and dwell under his shadow: that is, they shall return into their own country, and rest safely under the shadow or protection of the Almighty. Compare Ps. xci. 1; and see the note on chap. i. 11. W. Lowth. Or the words are more properly a description of the happy and prosperous condition, which shall be enjoyed by those who dwell under the shadow of the Church, the Israel of God. Dr. Pocock.

— as the wine of Lebanon.] The Phoenician wines in general were esteemed by the ancients, especially those of Tripolis, Tyre, and Berytus, places at the foot of Lebanon, or very near it: and the wines of that country still preserve their character. Niebuhr says, “The wine of mount Lebanon, long since celebrated by the Prophet Hosea, is still excellent.” Bp. Horsley.

Hosea 14:8

8. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do &c.] This verse contains the prophecy of a dialogue between God and Ephraim, or Israel his people, after their conversion. They begin with declaring their utter aversion to idolatry: see ver. 3. To which God graciously replies, that He has “heard” them confessing their sins, and expressing their abhorrence of them, (compare Jer. xxxi. 18,) and that He will “observe” them, that is, will guide them with the eye of his providence and mercy. W. Lowth.

— I am like a green fir tree.] I shall be to thee as a tall and shady fir tree; and, whatsoever fruit thou yieldest, it shall be of my giving. Bp. Hall.

Hosea 14:9

9. — for the ways of the Lord are right.] That is, his commandments. The just shall walk safely by obeying them: the transgressors shall fall, by virtue of the same commandments, in consequence of their transgressions. Grotius.

The following are the Chapters from Hosea appointed for Proper Lessons:

CHAP. XIII. …Wednesday before Easter …Morning. — XIV. …ditto…Evening. VOL. II.