Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Hosea
Book: Hosea
Chapter: 5
Overview:
The Divine judgments against
Israel.
(1-7) Approaching
desolations threatened.
(8-15)
1-7 The piercing
Eye of
God saw secret liking and disposition
to
Sin, the
Love the
House of
Israel had to their sins, and the
dominion their sins had over them. Pride makes men obstinate in
other sins. And as
Judah was treading in the same steps, they
would fall with
Israel.
By dealing treacherously with the
Lord,
men only deceive themselves. Those that go to seek the
Lord with
their flocks and their herds only, and not with their hearts and
souls, cannot expect to find him; nor shall any speed who do not
seek the
Lord while he may be found. See how much it is our
concern to seek
God early, now, while it is the accepted time,
and the
Day of
Salvation.
8-15 The
Destruction of impenitent sinners is not mere talk, to
frighten them, it is a sentence which will not be recalled. And
it is a
Mercy that we have timely warning given us, that we may
flee from the wrath to come. Compliance with the
Commandments of
men, who thwart the
Commandments of
God, ripens a people for
ruin. The
Judgments of God are sometimes to a sinful people as a
Moth, and as rottenness, or as a
Worm; as these consume the
clothes and the
Wood,
So shall the
Judgments of God consume
them. Silently, they shall think themselves safe and thriving,
but when they look into their state, shall find themselves
wasting and decaying. Slowly, for the
Lord gives them space to
repent. Many a nation; as
Well as many a person, dies of a
consumption. Gradually,
God comes upon sinners with lesser
judgments, to prevent greater, if they will be
Wise, and take
warning. When
Israel and
Judah found themselves in danger, they
sought the protection of the Assyrians, but this only helped to
make their wound the worse. They would be forced to apply to
God. He will bring them home to himself,
By Afflictions. When
men begin to complain more of their sins than of their
Afflictions, then there begins to be some
Hope of them; and when
under the conviction of
Sin, and the corrections of the rod, we
must seek the knowledge of
God. Those who are led
By severe
trials to seek
God earnestly and sincerely, will find him a
present help and an effectual
Refuge; for with him is plenteous
Redemption for all who
Call upon him. There is solid peace, and
there only, where
God is.