god's compassion.
Hos. xi. 7 — 9. My people are bent to backsliding from me : though they called them to the Most High, none at all would exalt him : [yet] how shall I give thee up, Ephraim ? how shall I deliver thee, Israel ? how shall I make thee as Admah ? how shall I set thee as Zeboini ? mine heart is turned loithin me; my repentings are kindled together : I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger.
THE riches of divine grace are manifest in all the promises ; but they are more eminently displayed in the manner in which the promises are given. God often introduces them after an enumeration of his people's sins. The passage before us well exemplifies this remark a. God has been contrasting his kindness to Israel, and their ingratitude towards him ; in the text he sets forth their wickedness with all its aggra- vations : yet all this is preparatory, not to a heavy denunciation of his wrath, but to the tenderest ex- pressions of paternal love —
I. The conduct of men towards God —
The ten tribes, since their separation from Judah, had become idolaters : yet God calls them his people because they had been admitted into covenant with him, and still professed to be his. Thus all who call themselves Christians are " God's people."
But they " are bent to backsliding from him" —
[The ungodly are justly compared to an unruly heifer : they will not submit to the yoke of God's laws : their whole spirit and temper is like that of Pharaohb; the "bent" and inclination of their hearts is wholly towards sin. An outward conformity to God's will they may approve, but they have a rooted aversion to spiritual obedience.]
Nor can they by any means be prevailed on to " exalt and honour him" —
[They are "called" frequently by God's ministers; they are exhorted and entreated to return to the Most High ; but neither promises can allure nor threatenings alarm them : they turn a deaf ear to all admonitions; they will not "exalt" God in their hearts and lives.]
This is almost universally the conduct of man- kind—
[There are a few indeed who desire and delight to serve God ; they wish him to be the sole Lord and Governor of their hearts ; it is their study to exalt him both in their words and actions : but these are few in every age and place ; so few, that, in comparison of the rebellious, they may be said to be "none at all."]
a See similar instances, Isai. xliii. 22 — 25. and lvii. 17, 18. b Exod. v. 2.