Hosea 14 - Introduction
_AN EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE. A PROMISE OF GOD'S BLESSING._ _Before Christ 725._... [ Continue Reading ]
_AN EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE. A PROMISE OF GOD'S BLESSING._ _Before Christ 725._... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE WITH YOU WORDS— _Take with you leaders._ Houbigant; who renders the latter part of the verse, _That we may receive good things, and may render the fruits of our lips._ See Hebrews 13:15. _The calves of our lips,_ may signify those praises which are to be in the stead of sacrifices; of _calves_... [ Continue Reading ]
FREELY— Are good works then nothing, you will say? "Is there no place at all for them in the doctrine of repentance? I answer, that hitherto the discourse hath been about remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. These are entirely gratuitous, and not of our merit, but simply of the inexhau... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL BE AS THE DEW, &C.— These verses contain gracious promises of God's favour upon Israel's conversion, represented by different metaphors. In the fifth verse, it is described by that refreshment, which copious _dews_ give to the grass in the heat of summer. If we consider the nature of the clim... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT DWELL UNDER HIS SHADOW SHALL RETURN, &C.— _They shall return and dwell under his shadow; they shall sprout out again as the corn, and bloom as the vine: he shall be praised as the wine of Lebanon,_ or "as the most exquisite wine which was offered at the altar." _Under his shadow_ means the... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE HEARD HIM, &C.— _I will hear him; I will exalt him on high, like a green fir-tree: thy fruits shall spring forth from me._ Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS WISE, &C.— Many interpreters are of opinion, that the prophet here hints at the obscurity of his prophesy: as much as to say, "Behold, I have set before you what is dark and difficult, surrounded with obscurity: who will have penetration sufficient to enter into and develope the mystery?" See... [ Continue Reading ]