The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 54

C'ontinue is the manner in which it ie effected, tures e. ecene of peace for Israel's future; the or mther, the be.sis on which it ie este.b- versos following warrant the expectation of lished. Justice e.nd judgment present its perpetuity, owing to the higher and holier righteousness under two espects-subjective relationship; the verses before us ,ue a vivid nnd objectirn. Tscdcq, cquive.lent to u•da- description of unlimited prosperity, Tho qnlt, being right, is subjective righteous- corn and ·wine e.nd oil appco.l, by a gmphio 11css nud an ottribute of God. Mi•hpat, persouifimtion, to mother eo.rth; earth ap- <'qlli\'e.lent to objective right, either as exe- peals to the over-cnnopyiug heavens; and <'Uting judgment or ns existing in fact the heavens appeal to him whose throne is Some attribute these characteristics to God in the heavens, but whom the heavens and n111l some to Isre.el, while others to both. hee.l'en of heavens cannot contain. Sc,on the Rashi and Kimchi understand both words floating cloud is seen and the falling rain is tsedeq and mi.<hpat., subjectirnly and in re- heard; the parched cMth driuks in the mois.- lntion to the Israelites. The former:" In ture; and its products, being nourished nnd righteousness andjudgruent wherein ye shall refreshed, supply to the utmost the wants wn Ik ; " the latter: " In righteousness which and wishes of Jezrcel. Kimchi comments the Israelites shall practise." Wiinsche and on this picture 11s follows: " He snys that 1:kngstenbcrg understand the 1ighteousness then, in the season of sal vatiou, the heaven~ and judgment of God's doing justice and shall give their dew, and the earth shall give faithfully fulfilling bis covenant obli~tions her iucreose. And he says, • I will hear the to Israel. The latter he.s well remarked in heavens which were shut up when they were relation to mulipat when distinguishing it • in the land, as in the days of Ahab; on their from uedeq, that a man may render what is return to the land at the time of so.I ve.tiori right to persons and yet not be righteous; they shall no more be shut.' And he Sil.ys; thnt is, there may be objective apart from 'I will answer,' as if the heavens asked that ~ubjectivc righteousness. Keil attributes they might give rain. according to their the attributes in question, not only to God manner, and I will answer; [as if] their earth fulfilling his covenant engagements to hie [ asked] that they[the heavens] might give re.in people, but purifying them through just after their manner, even showers of blessing. judgmcnt, e.nd thus providing for their And this ' I will answer ' denotes that my righteousness. That God possesses these ie favour shall be on them [the heavens]. 'And Wldeniable, but it ie equally obvious the.t he they shall answer the earth,' as. if the earth bestows righteousness on hie people both by asked re.in and longed for it. 'And the earth imputation e.nd impartation; he a.Isa executes shall hear' when it shall give its increase, righteousness in their case, pwifying them e.nd the tree of the field shall give its fruit. by salutary chastisement, his object being, ' And they sho.11 bear J ezree l,' for in the mul- not only to cleanse, but to keep clean. Aud ti plying of good thingd the enters thereof yet such is the frailty of man's fallen nature, multiply, for the steppes shall be full of the and so many are the faults and the failings sheep of Israel. In the punishments he to which he is liable, that loving-kindness called the no.me of' Israel J ezreel, bece.uso (God's condescending love,c7iesed, equivalent they were scattered among the nations. In to 6.-ycfT71) and mercies (mmost compassion the time of salvation he likewise calls them on man's weakness,rachamim, u1rAax-y11a) on J ezreel, because they were sown in their God's part must be added to righteousness land; accordingly, he says afterwards,' I will and judgment in order to secure the stability sow them to me in the land.'" Such is the of those whom he takes into covenant, e.nd prophet's pictorial representation of a pros- the continue.nee of the contract. Nay; for perity including food in abundance, refresh- the attainment of the desired end still more ment limited by moderation, and even 1uxuries is requisite, for, after all his bestowments and without stint. Old things are passed away; all Lis disci pliue, and in addition to all bis 6inful things have ceased ; there is a com- favour e.ud forbearance, his fe.itLfulness (un- plete reversal of the sorrowful circumstances wavering steadfastness, emunah, correspond- into which sin had plunged Israel. God's ing as the reverse side to anc securing the scattering he.s now 'become God's sowing. l•olam) ie indispensable to Israel's persever- " I sow her" is the remark of Aben Ezra, ance; and thus, notwithstanding Israel's "that they may multiply and be fruitful as failures, Jehove.h's faithfulness guarantees the seed of the earth." The unpitied one ultin,e.te and le.sting success. The special he.e found mercy; the rejected one is re~eived c11iatity on Israel's side is true knowlcclge of with rejoicing. I will say to them which God. were not my people,' Thou a.rt my poople ; Yen. 21-23.-The eighteenth verse pie- and the7 ehall say, Thou a,t my Ood." OJI, II, 1-23.] TllE IlOOK OF HOSEA. 51