Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Hosea
Book: Hosea
Chapter: 7
Overview:
The manifold sins of
Israel.
(1-7) Their senselessness and
hypocrisy.
(8-16)
1-7 A practical disbelief of
God's government was at the bottom
of all
Israel's wickedness; as if
God could not see it or did
not heed it. Their sins appear
On every side of them. Their
hearts were inflamed
By evil desires, like a heated
Oven. In the
midst of their troubles as a nation, the people never thought of
seeking help from
God. The actual wickedness of men's lives
bears a very small proportion to what is in their hearts. But
when
Lust is inwardly cherished, it will break forth into
outward
Sin. Those who tempt others to drunkenness never can be
their real friends, and often design their ruin. Thus men
execute the Divine vengeance
On each other. Those are not only
heated with
Sin, but hardened in
Sin, who continue to live
without
Prayer, even when in trouble and distress.
8-16 Israel was as a
Cake not turned, half burnt and half
Dough, none of it fit for use; a mixture of
Idolatry and of the
Worship of
Jehovah. There were tokens of approaching ruin, as
grey hairs are of old
Age, but they noticed them not. The pride
which leads to break the
Law of
God leads to self-flattery. The
Mercy and
Grace of
God are the only
Refuge to which obstinate
sinners never think of fleeing. Though they may howl forth their
terrors in the form of prayers, they seldom cry to
God with
their hearts. Even their prayers for earthly mercies only seek
Fuel for their lusts. Their turning from one
Sect, sentiment,
form, or vice, to another, still leaves them far short of
Christ
and
Holiness. Such are we
By nature. And such shall we prove if
left to ourselves. Create in us a
Clean Heart, O
God, and renew
a right
Spirit within us.