_O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God_ O Israel, return now at length, after thou hast suffered so many evils, to the Lord by true repentance and reformation of conduct. The whole family of Israel, in both its branches, seems to be here addressed. _For thou hast fallen_ From God's love and favour... [ Continue Reading ]
_Asshur shall not save us_ We will not rely on Assyria for protection and help. The Israelites frequently sought the alliance of the Assyrians, and are often reproved by the prophets for so doing. _We will not ride upon horses_ We will not implore the help of Egypt, as we did formerly, nor depend on... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will heal their backsliding_ I will deliver them from a backsliding heart and way, and remove those judgments they have brought upon themselves thereby. The Lord says, _I will heal_, &c., a usual metaphor in Scripture, because sin is our _disease_, and God is the physician who healeth us, Psalms... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will be as the dew unto Israel_ These verses contain gracious promises of God's favour, and of blessings upon Israel's conversion, represented by different metaphors. These are first described by that refreshment which copious dews give to the grass in the heat of summer. And if we consider the n... [ Continue Reading ]
_They that dwell under his shadow shall return_ “Not only was Israel to regain its former prosperity, but those smaller tribes of people that were connected with Israel, and shared in its depression, which are here described by dwelling under his shadow.” But many versions translate this clause, _Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ephraim shall say_, &c. The words, _shall say_, are not in the Hebrew. The clause is therefore translated thus by Bishop Horsley, _Ephraim! What have I to do any more with idols_, “an exultation,” says he, “of Jehovah over idols. Ephraim! even he is returned to me. I have no more contest to carry o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who is wise_, &c. That is, who is so truly wise as duly to weigh and consider the important things contained in this prophecy, the duties prescribed, the blessings promised to the obedient, and the judgments threatened to the disobedient? The prophet's words imply, that there were but few that were... [ Continue Reading ]