Hosea 1

The time when Hosia prophecied vers. 1 . at Gods command be typisieth or representeth Israels spiritual whosdom, and Gods judgments, by his marrying of Gomer, 2. and on her begetteth Jezreel., 4. Lo – ruchama 6. and Lo – ammi 8. nevertheless God promiseth a glorious restauration of his church by the Messiah, out of Jews and Gentiles.

1. The word of the LORD, which happened unto Hosea, [In the new Greek Testament he is called Osee. Rom. 9 .25. and t’is the same Name which Josua had once, Num.13.16. and the last King of Israel, 2. Kings.17.1,6.] the son of Beeri; in the days of Uzzija, Jothan, Achaz Hizkia, king of Juda: [hence it appeareth, that this prophet prophecied a very long time, anmely, at the least, according to the opinion of some, about.43. years:] and in the days of Jerobeam, Joas son, king of Israel the successors of this Jerobeam ( the son, not of Nebat, but of Joas, and the grand – child of Jehu) yet this king alone is here mentioned, as having reigned longest, viz.41.s together, whence also the divine Character of this prophecie appeareth, that it happened in such a time, whiles the Kingdom of the Tribes, was yet flourishing. See 2 Kings.14. and 15. and withal the histories of the reign of the fore mentioned kings of Jurda.2. Kings from chapter 15. to 21. and 2. Chron. From chapter 26. to 33. and compare Amos 1:1]

2. The beginning of the word [Or, of the speaking, or, speech] of the LORD by Hosea: [i.e. when the LORD, first began to speak, with, by, and to Hosea, he spake this to him, and by him to the people. Oth. In Hosea (and so elsewhere also) the better to shew, that the thing spoken of in the sequel, did not happen actually, but was revelaed by God unto the prophet in a Vision only, inwardly in the spirit, by way of a parable or multitude, and afterward made out unto the people, as a Propheticall vision; see of the like, Gen.15. 1. and compare bel. chap.3.1. also Ezech.4.3. and 8,8. and 11.24,25,&c.] The LORD then said unto Hosea; Goe to, take thee a wife of whoredoms, [i.e. wholly given up to whoredome. Compare this phrase with Psal.5. on vers.6] etc children of whoredoms; [the prophet being bid here to take a whore with her children, and it being said to him by and by, that he begat them on that whore, thence it appears yet plainer, that this happened not so in very deed.] for the land altogether goeth a whoring [Hebr. whoring whoreth, i.e. doth practise nothing else. See of spiritual whoredom, Levit, 17. on vers.7.] from after the LORD.[i.e. sothat the inbitants of the land do follow the Lord no more, but turn away from him, and run madly after idols. Compare be. Chap.4.12.]

3. So he went [All this was shewed to the prophet in a vision and afterward by him represented to the people, (as was noted before. V. 2.) fetting this plain looking glass, or lively pourtraict of their wickedness, mentioned in the former verse, before their eyes] and took Gomer [as Gomer in the Hebrew tongue sometimes signifieth fullness or perfection, and sometimes consumption; so God had shewed abundance of good unto this people, but they wasted and consumed it all, and themselves too, by Idolatry and other excesses of sin wherefore they were likewise at last to be confirmed by God judgment] a daughter of Diablaim: [this some take to be mans name, others, the place of the womans nativity. The word doth signifie two lumps of figs, whereby may be implied the wantonnels, lustfulness, and lasciviousness of the people . Some conceive that this name hath respect to the wilderness of Dibla, mentioned Ezek.6.14. (See the note there) to hold forth the mercie, which God had shewed to his people, leding them through the wilderness Canaan, (compare Ezek.16.5,7. Song of Solomon 3:6 .) Numb. 33. 46. we read of Diblathaim. See further, Jere.2. 2,6.) and she conceived, and bare him a son.

4. And the LORD said to him; [viz. Hosea] call his name Jezreel: [this name must be distinguished from Israel: nd it hath regard to the place Jezreel. See the Sequel, and further chapter 2. 21,22. with the annot.] for yet a little (time) I shall visit [viz. by punishments, see Gen.21. on vers.1.] the blood guiltiness of Jezreel? [Heb. Bloods in plural, i.c. bloodguiltiness, killing, murtherings; (see Gen.37, on vers.26.) which are layd up and practiced there] upon the house of Jehu, [who had shed much blood in the valley of jezreel, at the command of the LORD, but not of an upright heart, to root out achabs idolatrie, as God had commanded him, but for the kingdoms sake, it being expressly said of him, 2 Kings 10:28, 29,31 that he clave to the idolatry of Jerobeam, and walked not in the law of the LORD, with all his heart. Therefore doth God look no otherwise upon him then upon a murtherer. Compare the example of Baesa 1. King. 15., 29. and 16.7. who destroyed likewise the house of Jerobeam, according to the word of God, but not with an honest heart] and shall make the kingdom the house of Israel to cease,

5. And it shall come to pas in that day, that I shall break the bowe of Israel, [i.e. discomfit the power of their ordinary or their militarie forces. Compare Psal. 78.9. and consequently Israel shall become a prey unto their enemies. See 2. Sam.1 18. Jeremiah 49:35. with the annot.] in the valley ef Jezreel. [of this valley see Judg.6. on vers. 33. it should seem that Israel had a great overthrow there given them by Salmanasser. See 2. Kings. 17. 4, etc. Other for the valley of Jezreel i.e. for or, by reason of the murthers therein committed.]

6. And the conceived again, and bire a daughter, and he said unto him, [viz. the LORD to Hosea] call her name Lo – Ruchama: [i.e. not puttied] for I shall have no more pitty henceforth upon the house of Israel, but I will surely carry them away. [Heb. Carrying away, (or, taking up) carry the away i.c. take them up, and carry them away. Compare bel. Chap.5. 14. these words are variously rendred by interpreters, in regard of the different significations of the Hebrew verb her, taken not only for taking up, taking, or, carrying away; but also for forgiving, pardoning. See Psal. 25. on vers. 18. Isaiah 2:9 This was fulfilled first, by Tiglath Pilefer, and afterwards by Salmanasser, kings of Assyria.]

7. But upon the house of Juda I will have mercy [i.e. upon my own church or people especially typified here by Judah, as having the true worship of God, and not by Israel, who had forsaken the true worship of God : wherefore also it Is sais in the sequel, the LORD their God; compare bel. V. 9 and ch.12.1 otherwise Juda and Israel ( together representing the catholick church of Jews and Gentiles) are joined together. See bel. Verl. 11, &c. also chapter 3. 5.] and will deliver them through the LORD their God, [i.e. through mine eternal onely begotten son Jesus Christ, whom I have ordained a Saviour, Redeemer, Deliverer, Head and King of his people. Compare Gen.19 on vers. 24. and Isaiah 10:27. Jeremiah 23:4, 5, &c. Oth. Through the LORD their God i.e. through my own self, I shall doe and accomplish it my self, to wit, bodily, by delivering them out of Babel, and spiritually by the Messiah, out of the captivity of Stan, &c.] and I will deliver them, not by the bowe, nor by the sword, nor by warre, nor by horses, nor by horse – man. [like as the deliverance of Juda, out of the Babylonian Captivity, shall be ordered and bought about through my special grace and providence, and not by any humane power, so shall the deliverance through Christ, be altogether a heavenly and spiritual salvation; for which they shall have cause to thank none but my self. Compare Mich.5. 10. with the annot. Some do likewise interpret it of the wonderful Providenceof God whereby he delivered Juda from the two Kings, Pekah, of Israel and Bazin of Syria. See Isa.7. 1. &c., 2 King.15.29.30. & 16.9.]

8. Now when she had weaned Lo – ruchamd, she conceived and bare a son.

9. And he [viz. the LORD] said, call his name Lo- ammi; for ye are not my people, so (also) shall not be yours.[I.e. I shall not be your God, as some fill up this viz. according to the expression used elsewhere. Compare ab. Vers. 7. with the annot. And see Gen.17. on vers.7. and Deut. 7. on vers. 6. By the birth of these 3. children here some conceive there is held out a threefold state and condition of the people and deeper plunged in fin, and visited according with heaver Judgments]

10. Nevertheless the number of the children of Israel, [To whome namely I shall show mercie] shall be as the sand of the sea that cannot be measured nor numbered: and and it shall come to pass, that where it shall have been said unto them, ye are not my people, it shall said unto them; ye are the children of the living God. [here God speaketh of the work of Grace, which he intended to show unto his people in the time of the new – testament, to wit, to Jews and Gentiles, the Israel of God. See Rom.9 24.,26 Galatians 3:28,29. and 6. 16. for the carnal Israel as well as the heathen, were now no more the people of God, and therefore could not be otherwise, then by meer and free grace, which God here doth promise to them both.]

11. And the children of Juda and the children of Israel shall gather together, and appoint themselves one onely head, and march up out of the Land: [viz. of their bodily captivity first, but principally out of the spiritual be taking themselves to the church of God. Through some doe partly understand this of deliverance out of the Babylonian captivity, when as the scattered and remaining godly Israelites being almost reduced to nothing, all the miseries they had endured, would doubtless be very glad to joyn themselves to the Jews returning out of their captivity; nevertheless it principally regardeth the congregation or communion of the church of the new testament of Jews, and gentiles, under one head Jesus Christ, through faith and true conversion. Compare Jer.23 ,6; etc.] for the day of Jezreel shall be great. [or, because of the day of Jezreel shall have been great understand the overthrow and destruction of Israel there, whereof above vers. 5. the meaning is, that this judgement of God, and all the succeeding punishment, should be great means and moving to them thereunto. Some doe understand by the day of Jezreel, the day of Israels deliverance, which should be glorious, in opposition to the day of their overthrow there, and therefore likewise called Jezreels day i.e. Israels, compare bel. Chap.2,21. This exposition agrees well with the matter fore – going. Thus ones day in scripture is called that time wherein by Gods appointment some special good or evil betides him.]

12. Say to your brethren, [I,e. faithfull remnant of Israel say the Jews, and both of you together make it further known to the heathen, through one faith , joined together into one body,. Under one head, Jesus Christ; see Jer, 19. 23,24. Rom.9. 24,26. This verse some do joyn to the next chapter.] Ammi; [i.e. (o) my people. Compare above verse. 7,9. etc. 1 Pet. 2.10] and your fisters, [the faithfull women in Juda, and among the heathen] Ruchama. [i.e (o) pittied, compare above, vers.6.]