Hosea 14

Israel is exhorted to true repentance, and taught how to practise the same vers. 1, &c. with gracious promises of the grace and blessings to come, under the Messiah a. They are further directed headfuly to observe, consider and put in put in practice both these and all other godly instructions, 10.

1. Samaria shall be laid waste [Aswell the capital or mother city, as the country and religion about the same, See 1King.13. on verse, 22. and chap 16. on verse, 24 This verse belons yet to the former chapter . See the fulfilling of this prophesy, 2 King 17.5,6, &c.] for shhe hath been rebellious against the LORD fro God: they shall by the sword, [the inhabitants namely] their little children [see the word Ps.8. on verse. 3.] shall be dashed in pieces, [Hosea 10:14.]] and her [viz. Samaria's] (women) with child [compare above chap 13.8.] shall be cut up.

2. Convert thy self, o Israel, even unto the LORD thy God: [Compare this phrase with Joel 2. on verse 11] for thou are fallen for thine iniquity. [Compare above chap 4. 5. and 5.5.]

3. Take (these) words with you, [understand the conses of your sins, with the servent and faithful prayer for grace and forgiveness, joyned with sincere promised of thankfulness, whereof the pattern followeth] and convert your selves to the LORD, say to him; Take way all iniquity , [i.e. forgive it, imput it not. See Psal 25. on vers. 18 and 32. on verse. 1.] and give the good; [i.e. all manner of spiritual blessings or mercies and benesits: see Mat 7. vers 11. Compare with Luke 11. vers.5, 13] so shall we pay [i.e. shew our due thankfulness for thy undeserved mercie] bullocks of our lips ] or thus, bullocks, i.e. the beasts themselves, of our lips: or bullocks, (with) our lips; or, as if they did say, we know well enough; that thou art not satisfied with the saying and offering of beasts, therefore we shall offer unto thee the spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. See Psal 50.14 and 116. 12. 15. Hebrews 13:15 &c.]

4. Assur shall not save us, [We will not put our trust any more in men, or, without thee; all besides thee being vanity, and the relying on it, apparent ruin. See above chap 12.2, &c.] W e will not ride upon horses, [Heb horse i.e. We will consider no more in any humane means, nor travel to and fro, or send abroad for help an confederacies; compare above chap 5.13. and 7. 11. and 12.2.] nor say (any) more to the work of our hands and idolatrous images and representation; See above chap.13. vers. 1,2, &c] Thou are our God : [or Gods] however [thus the Hebrew word is likewise used, 1 Sam 15.20. or yet, or, let i pray, as petitioning] an orphan be visited by thee; [a very pathetical conclusion of his panitent and faithful prayer whereby they acknowledge, that there is no salvation for them any where but God alone, they being here on earth, (much like orphan) wholly destitute of any humane help, and are humbly confident, that God will not reject such orphans, crying unto him for mercy and compassion. Compare Lam.5. 3. and Psa.10. 14. and 68. and 146.9. Job 14:8]

5. I will heal (or, cure) their backsliding; [A most sweet and father answer and promise of God, upon the foregoing penitent, forgiving them all their evil, and iving them good things, as they desired above verse. 3. see Psal 30. on vers.3.] i will love them freely [or, liberally, from a good heart (as the saying is) the compare Deuteronomy 30:9. Jeremiah 32:41,42 Jobn 18.26,27 and see the Heb. word, Lev 7. on vers. 16. Job 12. on vers.21] for mine aner is turned away from him. [viz. from Israel , expressed by the name presently in the next verse, and above verse 2.]

6. I will be unto Israel, as the dew, he shall blossom, as the lily [These promises, representing by very elegant comparisons, the grace of Jesus Christ ,and the abundance of spiritual gifts, do all belong to the Covenant of grace in the new testament , and are grounded upon the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all promises are yea and Amen, 2 Chron 1.20. appertaining to all Israel, that is, to the whole church of believing Jews and Gentiles. Compare above chap.13. on verse. 14.] and he shall cast forth his roots, like Lebanon [i.e. like the trees, that stand on mount Lebanon; (and so verse 7.) where the sweet – smelling frankincense doth grow, from which it is conceived this mountain had its name: for Lebona doth signifie frankincense, and this mountain is called in Hebrew Lebanon]

7. His shoots shall spread themselves abroad [Heb. shall go etc] and his glory shall be as the Olive – trees, [compare Isa60. 13. Jeremiah 11:16. Ezekiel 31:3,7,6,9.] and hhe shall have a smell like Lebanon

8. They shall return, [i.e. the true Israelites shall convert themselves; as they are are exhorted to do above vers.2.] sitting [Oth read the verse from the beginning They shall sit again] under his shadow ; [refreshing themselves and being secured under the LORD his fatherly protection. See Ruth 2. on verse. 12 Psal . 91. 1.] they shall bring forth to life, as corn, and bossom as the vine: [i.e. they shall be fruitful and multiply : understand this especially to the spiritual fruits, which they should bring forth as new and regenerate creatures, themselves, and cause like wise others, by means of teaching and edisying, to bring forth the like, through the powerful working of the holy spirit, that quickens us unto good. Compare Psal. 72. 16. and see the annotat there.] his remembrance shall be as sweet vand acceptable as the wine of Lebanon .[viz. the remembrance of the converted Israel ; that is, his Name, Fame and report shall be as sweet and acceptable as the noblest wine of Lebanon. Ot. his fragrancie, or smell; because the Heb, word signifying remembrance seems sometimes to be used for smell, according as sweet perfume causeth one to remember; see Isaiah 66:3. again Lev.2.2,9. Num.5. 26. and Psal 20.4. with the annotat. Some do apply it to the remembrance of God, which should prove very pleasing and acceptable to the believers, because of his super – abundant grace]

9. Ephraim [This may be taken, as spoken by God, who takes a singular pleasure, (as one doth rejoyce) that Ephraim had rejected all idolatry, and was no more trouble to him by it, as formerly. See above chhap. 12. ver1, &c. or it may be taken for the words of converted Ephraim, thus ; Ephraim (shall say) etc] what have i more to do with the idols? [Heb. what (is) to me and idols? see 1Sam 16. on vers.10. and so the word idols, above chapter above chap.8. on vers.4.] i have heard him, and will look upon him; [this seems to have regard to the prayer mad above vers. 3,4. Oth i will hear (him) or, i do hear and regard (or, look upon) him, viz. graciously: or, take notice of him i.e. mine eyes shall be continually upon him. See Jeremiah 24:6. as before i watched him for evil above chap 13. vers 7. Oth i have regarded him] i will be unto him, as a green fire – tree; [which keeps its verdure or leaf (as Herbarists testifie) all the winter long and yield a very refreshing shadow: so doth God implie, will i refresh them against the heat of all adversities and persecutions] thy fruit is found out of me [whereof see above chap 13,15 that is through my gracious and powerful working ye shall be fruitful fro good; your fruit shall be sure, see Job 15 vers.1, &c and compare above vers. 6,7,8. and for the word found or, with being found, compare Mich 1.13. Zephaniah 3:13. Mal.2.6. 1Pet.2.22. again Num 11. on vers22 Psa.46. on verse 2.

10. Who is wise ? let him understand these things (who is) understanding: let him acknowledge (or, know) them, [an elegant conclusion of this Prophets,and especially of this chapter, and the foregoing evangelical instructions and promises; the sense is, that true wisdom consists in this, and those that will be wise must understand and know this, and govern themselves accordingly: otherwise they will be fools all their wisdom. See 1 Cor 1.18, 19, &c. and chap 2.2, &c. and so to this manner and asking, compare Deut 20. verse 5.6,7,8. Psalms 25:12. and 34.23. and 107.43. Oth by way of complaint, who is wise and understands these things, understanding and knows them ? as if the prophet had said alass there are but few hhave this wisdom. Compare Jer 9, 12,] for the wayes of the LORD are straight, [i.e. his instruction of government. See Gen.18. on vers.19. and Psa 25. on vers.4. again Deut 32. on verse. 4. Psal.25. on verse 10. Compare also Psal 19.9. and 7.11.] and the righteous shall walk in them, [with content delight and joy, see Psal 119.30. Mat.11.4.1. Job. 5. vers. 3,&c] but the transgressors [or, revolting ones, back – sliders] shall fall therein. [i.e. they shall take offence and stumble thereat , and fall away. See above chhap. 7.13. and Isa chha. 8.14. Luke 2,34. 2Cor.2. 16,&c.]