Yer. I.-The word of the Lord. It is characteristic of the inspired Hebrew prophets that they sank themselves, their own individuality, in their Divine commission, and in the authority which accompanied it. In reading their prophecies we feel, as those to whom they were first addressed must have felt, that there was no desire on their part to speak their own thoughts, their own words. I. FB011 WHOM THE WORD CAME. Their formula was this: "Thus saith the Lord." Their word was" the word of the Lord." This is witness: 1. To the personality and spiritual nature of God. Words are the clothing of thought. He who speaks first thinb. The Divine mind is presumed in the Divine utterance. Language like that of the text could not be used of a principle, an abstraction, a law, an unconscious force, such as some would thoughtlessly substitute for the living God. 2. To the interest of God in the moral, state and welfare of men. Why should the Su pre rue concern himself to address the members of our race? Tha.t be has done so is evidence of his grace and benevolence. A.nd to this the mission of the prophets bears witness only less powerfully than the advent e.nd ministry of the incarnate Word. II. Br WHOM THE WORD CAME. 1. By the medium of human spirits. There might have been other methods of communicating with mankind; but infinite Wisdom made choice of this. Man has ever been the minister of God to man. 2. The appeal of Heaven is thus seen to be to the human reason and conscience. It is plain that the Divine intention wa.s not to overwhelm with an irresistible impression, but to convince and to persuade. 3. The Lord made choice of agents morally in sympathy with his holy cl,ariuter and aims. The prophets uttered the word of God, but they made tba't word their own. They pl.e.inly felt indignation with rebellion and unfaithfulness, and commiseration for wretchedness, and joy in every righteous endeavour and aim. In a word, they were what their de~ignation implies-inspired utterers of the Divine mind, voices to all who would bear. III. To WHOM THE WORD CAME. 1. In every case it came to beings natui·ally capable ef understanding it, and therefore responsible for the manner in which it was received. 2. To Israel the word came with an especial emphasis and adaptation; for the people had already received from the Lord such revelations as rendered them peculiarly qualified now to bear and to obey. 3. The especial circumstances of the 1,ortl,ern tribes, the northern kingdom, were such as to make it peculiarly appropriate tL.at Ho5ea should address to them language, first of severity, and then of consolation and eucouragement. 4. The fact that these prophecies form a part of the canon of the Old Testament is an evidence that these words are profitable to all; and of this tba experience of the Church is a sufficient confirmation.-T. Ver. 2.-Spiritual infidelity. The figurative language in which Hosea was inspired to exJ.,Ose and denounce the sinful idolatry and apostasy of Israel is startling, and the symliolic act in which these sins were set forth in their abomination and horror iB evidently intended to shock the mind of every reader. I. Goo IS THE HusBAND oF HIS PEOPLE. Human relationships are pressed into the service of religion; and the fact that God created man in his own image is the j11stifi- cation uf i;uch ~imilitudes as that of the text. The Creator is represented as the King, the Futher, and the llusbaud of the children of men, Under each relationship soma OH. I. 1-11.) THE BOOK OF HOSEA. 29
new aspect of religious life nod dnty is brought into prominence, Jehovah declares that ho espoused lame! in selecting her from among the nations, admitting lier to ~pocinl intimacy, and conferring upon her peculiar dignity and favours. II. Goo's PEOPLE ARE UNDER OBLIGATION TO FAITHFULNESS TO THEIR LORD. The wife who has accepted a man as her husband binds herself to "keep to him only." Adultery has ever been regarded as a shameful vice and crime. How much more are those, whom the eternal Supreme has favoured with the revelation of his La.w and his purposes, bound to render to him the most loyal and faithful service! He alone is to be worshipped, adored, oboyed, and served. Israel was distinguished among the nations by many events in the national history; and "in these last days" all to whom the gospel bas come are signally honoured, and are placed under a sterner responsibility. Ill. IRRELIGION AND APOSTASY ARE NOTHING LESB THAN FLAGRANT INFIDELITY. When Hosea wrote, the northern tribes, constituting the kingdom of Israel, were agai11 and again guilty of idolatry, and even those who were free from this stain in many instances fell into gross ungodliness and disobedience. Such conduct was represente<l as equivalent to spiritual adultery. Israel forsook her espoused husband a.nd went after other lovers, and attached herself guiltily and disgracefully to the worthless rivals who wooed her. And all who depart from God are guilty of infidelity of a flagrant kind, such as the Lord cannot overlook or treat with indifference. IV. THE UNFAITHFUL ARE SUMMONED TO REPENTANCE, AND ABE INVITED TO RETURN TO THE LOBD. Conscience witnesses to the justice of God's claims and to the sinfnl- ness of neglecting and outraging them. And the word of the Lord comes to the unfaithful in mercy and compassion. For, whilst he might righteously cast off his unfaithful spouse, he graciously opens the arms of his love and welcomes back the penitent and the contrite.-T.