CHAPTER XI _This chapter gives a very pathetic representation of God's_ _tender and affectionate regard for Israel, by metaphors_ _chiefly borrowed from the conduct of mothers toward their_ _tender offspring. From this, occasion is taken to reflect on_ _their ungrateful return to the Divine goo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:3. _I TAUGHT EPHRAIM ALSO TO GO_] An allusion to a mother or nurse _teaching a child to walk_, directing it how to _lift and lay_ _its feet_, and supporting it in the meantime _by the arms_, that it may use its feet with the greater ease. This is a passage truly pathetic.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:4. _I DREW THEM WITH CORDS OF A MAN_] This is a reference to _leading strings_, one end of which is held by the child, the other by the nurse, by which the little one, feeling some support, and gaining confidence, endeavours to walk. God, their heavenly Father, made use of every means... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:5. _HE SHALL NOT RETURN INTO - EGYPT_] I have brought them thence already, with the design that the _nation_ should never return thither again; but as they have sinned, and forfeited my favour and protection, they shall go _to Assyria_; and this _because_ _they refused to return_ to m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:6. _THE SWORD SHALL ABIDE ON HIS CITIES_] Israel was agitated with external and intestine wars from the time of _Jeroboam the Second_. Although _Zechariah_ his son reigned _twelve_ years, yet it was in _continual troubles_; and he was at last slain by the rebel _Shallum_, who, having... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:7. _THOUGH THEY CALLED THEM TO THE MOST HIGH_] _Newcome_ is better: "And though _they call on him together because of the yoke,_ _he will not raise it_. He shall receive no _refreshment_." See the metaphor, Hosea 11:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:8. _HOW SHALL I GIVE THEE UP_] Hosea 6:4, where we have similar words from similar feeling. _MINE HEART IS TURNED WITHIN ME_] _Justice_ demands thy _punishment;_ _Mercy_ pleads for thy _life_. As thou _changest_, Justice resolves to _destroy_, or Mercy to _save_. My heart is oppresse... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:9. _I WILL NOT EXECUTE_] Here is the _issue_ of this conflict in the Divine mind. Mercy triumphs over Judgment; Ephraim shall be spared. _He is God, and not man_. He cannot be affected by human caprices. They are now _penitent_, and implore mercy; he will not, as _man_ would do, punis... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:10. _THEY SHALL WALK AFTER THE LORD_] They shall discern the operations of his providence, when, _HE SHALL ROAR LIKE A LION_] When he shall utter his majestic voice, Cyrus shall make his decree. The _people shall tremble _- be in a state of commotion; every one hurrying to avail hims... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:11. _THEY SHALL TREMBLE AS A BIRD_] Those of them that are in _Egypt_ shall also be called thence, and shall _speed_ hither _as a_ _bird_. Those in _Assyria_ shall also be called to return, and they shall _flee as doves_ to their windows. All shall, in the fulness of time, return to t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 11:12. _EPHRAIM COMPASSETH ME ABOUT WITH LIES_] I think this verse does not well _unite_ with the _above_; it belongs to _another_ _subject_, and should begin the following chapter, as in the Hebrew. _JUDAH YET RULETH WITH GOD_] There is an allusion here to Genesis 32:24, where _Jacob_,... [ Continue Reading ]