Hosea 2
SIBVer. 1, might have been connected with the preceding chapter, intimating that, at that general restoration, the Hebrews will again be adopted as God’s people, and share his peculiar favour
Hosea 2:2-4
And let the pious Israelites, or Jewish converts to Christianity, earnestly plead with their nation, which have practically abandoned my worship and service, and which I am just ejecting from their peculiar relation to me, to repent of, and reform from, their idolatries and other beloved abominations, lest I quickly deprive them of all their privileges, render their country desolate, themselves miserable captives, and, without mercy, continue my vengeance upon their posterity for many generations
Hosea 2:5-13
For since they, with impudent obstinacy, depend on Heathen alliances and idols, as if these had procured them their enjoyments, I will bring them into inextricable perplexities and miseries, that they shall not be able to accomplish their idolatrous or wicked designs. And, neither idols nor idolatrous allies being able to help them, they shall return to their God, who anciently heaped so many favours on their ancestors. And, because they refuse to own me as the bestower of those outward things wherewith they make and worship idols, I will deprive them of these things; and, by my fearful judgments, effectually and incontrollably manifest their fearful wickedness to all the nations around, turn all their joy into mourning, all their plenty into miserable poverty, and give their substance to furious enemies, render their country desolate, and thus severely punish their idolatries
Hosea 2:14-18
Nevertheless, I, who brought their fathers out of Egypt into the wilderness, and entered into covenant with them, will at last deliver them from their captivity and dispersion, and, to their great comfort, bring them through all difficulties into their own land, and make them to rejoice in my salvation, as their fathers did on their having passed through the Red sea; and I will effectually determine them to renounce their idolatry and apostasy, and solemnly and cordially to acknowledge me alone as the Lord their gracious God. I will effectually protect them from every temporal or spiritual enemy and danger, 19—23; and, through the righteousness of my Son, I will, in infinite equity, wisdom, love, mercy, and faithfulness, render them my people by an everlasting covenant, and make them to know and acknowledge me as their God, fulfilling all my gracious promises. I will make all things in heaven and earth to concur in promoting their temporal, spiritual, and eternal welfare. Yes, I will graciously multiply their children; and, notwithstanding their long and fearful rejection, both Jews and Gentiles shall be rendered my peculiar people, sincere, bold, and open, professors of the gospel of Christ
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. II.—Our relation to God, and dependance on him, exceedingly aggravates our rebellion against him; and yet God will renew his grant of that relation. O how loth he is to give up his professing people! They who love him ought therefore with great earnestness to expostulate with back-sliding brethren, in order to convince them of their sin, warn them of their danger, and to persuade them to repeat of, and reform from, their sins; and not only to put away the grosser acts, but even the most inward and beloved abominations. If men abuse God’s temporal favours in the service of idols, or accept them as received from such, it is but just that he should deprive them of them; and that he should mar the fields and flocks of those who have profaned his ordinances. But how sovereign are his mercies! Where sin and its punishments had abounded, grace much more abounds. God allures those by his gospel grace who justly deserve his everlasting destruction. And distress and fear, as well as foretastes of his kindness, promote spiritual gladness and detestation of idols. And, O, thrice blessed is it to have JEHOVAH our reviver and comforter, our cleanser from all idols, our protector from every enemy, our gracious, faithful, and everlasting husband, our enrieber, our God, and our ALL! In view of this let my soul, hedged in by his providence and all allured by his kindness cast out her idols, and claim JEHOVAH as my own; that, in Christ, I may have his grace, mercy, and peace, multiplied unto me! Adoring the grace, which first chose, espoused, and drew my heart, let me, in communion with his people cordially and solemnly take him to be my God for ever, and my guide ever unto death! 9 X