20 September

Bible In 365 Days

Hosea 8-14

Hosea 8

This chapter, as that before, divides itself into the sins and punishments of Israel; every verse almost declares both, and all to bring them to repentance. When they saw the malignant nature of their sin, in the descriptions of that, they could not but be convinced now much it was their duty to repent of what was so bad in itself; and when they saw the mischievous consequences of their sin, in the predictions of them, they could not but see how much it was their interest to repent for the preventing of them. In many general expressions, (Hosea 8:1, 3, 12, 14), and in many particular instances; setting up kings without God (Hosea 8:4), setting up idols against God (Hosea 8:4-6), and courting alliances with the neighbouring nations, (Hosea 8:8-10). Yet, to make matters worse, they still kept up a profession of religion and obedience to God (Hosea 8:2, 13, 14).The punishment of Israel is here set forth as answering to the sin. God would bring an enemy upon them (Hosea 8:1, 3). All their projects should be destroyed (Hosea 8:7). Their confidence both in their idols and in their foreign alliances should disappoint them (Hosea 8:6, 8, 10). Their strength at home should fail them (Hosea 8:14). Their sacrifices should have no reckoning made of them, and their sins should have a reckoning made for them (Hosea 8:13).

Hosea 9

In this chapter, God threatens to deprive this degenerate seed of Israel of all their worldly enjoyments, because by sin they had forfeited their title to them; so that they should have no comfort either in receiving them themselves or in offering them to God (Hosea 9:1-5). He dooms them to utter ruin, for their own sins and the sins of their prophets (Hosea 9:6-8). He upbraids them with the wickedness of their fathers before them, whose steps they trod in (Hosea 9:9, 10). He threatens them with the destruction of their children and the rooting out of their posterity (Hosea 9:11-17).

Hosea 10

In this chapter, the people of Israel are charged with gross corruptions in the worship of God and are threatened with the destruction of their images and altars (Hosea 10:1, 2, 5, 6, . They are charged with corruptions in the administration of the civil government and are threatened with the ruin of that (Hosea 10:3, 4, 7). They are charged with imitating the sins of their fathers, and with security in their own sins, and are threatened with smarting humbling judgments (Hosea 10:9-11). They are earnestly invited to repent and reform, and are threatened with ruin if they did not, (Hosea 10:12-15).

Hosea 11

In this chapter we have the great goodness of God towards His people Israel, and the great things that He had done for them (Hosea 11:1, 3, 4), their ungrateful conduct towards him, notwithstanding his favors towards them (Hosea 11 :2-4, 7, 12) threats of wrath against them for their ingratitude and treachery (Hosea 11:5, 6), mercy remembered in the midst of wrath (Hosea 11:8, 9), promises of what God would yet do for them (Hosea 11:10, 11) and an honorable character given of Judah (Hosea 11:12).

Hosea 12

In this chapter we have, A high charge drawn up against both Israel and Judah for their sins, which were the ground of God's controversy with them (Hosea 12:1, 2). Particularly the sin of fraud and injustice, which Ephraim is charged with (Hosea 12:7), and justifies himself in (Hosea 12:8). And the sin of idolatry (Hosea 12:11), by which God is provoked to contend with them (Hosea 12:14). The aggravations of the sins they are charged with, taken from the honour God put upon their father Jacob (Hosea 12:3-5), the advancement of them into a people from low and mean beginnings (Hosea 12:12, 13), and the provision he had made them of helps for their souls by the prophets he sent them (Hosea 12:10). A call to the unconverted to turn to God, (Hosea 12:6). An intimation of mercy that God had in store for them (Hosea 12:9).

Hosea 13

The same strings, though generally unpleasing ones, are harped upon in this chapter that were in those before. People care not to be told either of their sin or of their danger by sin; and yet it is necessary, and for their good, that they should be told of both, nor can they better hear of either than from the word of God and from their faithful ministers, while the sin may be repented of and the danger prevented. Here, the people of Israel are reproved and threatened for their idolatry (Hosea 13:1-4). They are reproved and threatened for their wantonness, pride, and luxury, and other abuses of their wealth and prosperity (Hosea 13:5-8). The ruin that is coming upon them for these and all their other sins is foretold as very terrible (Hosea 13:12-13, 15-16). Those among them that yet retain a respect for their God are encouraged to hope that He will yet appear for their relief, although their kings, princes, and all others fail them (Hosea 13:9-11, 14).

Hosea 14

The essence of this chapter differs from that of the foregoing chapters. Those were generally made up of reproofs for sin and threatenings of wrath; but this is made up of exhortations to repentance and promises of mercy, and with these the prophet closes; for all the foregoing convictions and terrors he had spoken were designed to prepare and make way for these. In short, he wounds so that he may heal. The Spirit convinces that he may comfort. This chapter is a lesson for penitents; and they were such in Israel at this day, bad as things were. We have here directions for repenting, what to do and what to say (Hosea 14:1-3), encouragements to repent, with reminders of God's readiness to receive returning sinners (Hosea 14:4,8, and the comforts He has prepared for them (Hosea 14:5-7). A solemn admonition concerning these things is found in Hosea 14:9.