II. THE AVENCllNG OJ!' APOSTASY AND INFIDELlTY. The languaae 0 of Jehovah is simple, but vigorous: "I will visit upon her the days of Baa.lim." 1. God observes with indigna.tion the unfaithfulness of those whom he created for his glory. He will not give his honour to another. He is not indifferent or unconcerned when his own depart from him. 2. God ma.kes use of punitive means to assert his a.uthority, and to nrrest the downward progress of those who are unfaithful to him. In the previo,1~ verses are recounted the severa.l "judgments" which the righteous Governor inflict~ upon the disobedient. All affiiction is designed to lead our thoughts to him who is the great Ohastener. 3. Retribution is with a view to the repentance and reformation of the offender, The Lord does not cast off his people; he does not afflict them willingly; in the midst of wrath he remembers mercy.-T. Ver. 14.-0omfortable words. In the la.ter periods of Jewish history, references were frequently ma.de to the early experiences by which Isra.el had been, in the providence of God, ma.de a. nation. In this verse the prophet, in assuring the people that the time of Divine reconciliation and favour was approaching, sets forth this prospect in language borrowed from the days of the Exodus. Then Jehovah had delivered his people from the bondage of Egypt, had led them into the wilderness, and there had entered into a covena.nt of espousals with the nation, and had spoken to them words of comfort a.nd of encouragement. Hosea. foretells that a similar experience is in reserve for the smitten but penitent and returning children of the covena.nt. I. MA.N's NEED OF COMFORTABLE WORDS, This may be sa.id to arise from the fa.et tha.t severe words had been uttered to the people's sorrow. God is faithful, and he never flatters, and never withholds the correction which is deserved and required. When the voice of God has threatened, and the voice of conscience has condemned, welcome a.re words of consolation expressive of Divine interest and favour. II. THE IMPORT OF COMFORTABLE WORDS DIVINE. 1. They a.re words of forgiveness. 2. They a.re words expressive of favour. 3. They a.re words assuring of gracious help. 4-. 'fhey a.re words faithful and certain to be exactly and entirely ma.de good. Unlike the well-meant comfortable words spoken by human lips, which often are nothing but words and are altogether vain, the gracious language of the Divine Deliverer is powerful to eftect the purposes of the utterer, and to heal the sorrows and relieve the anxieties of those addressed. III. THE EFFECT OF COMFORTABLE WOBDB. 1. They reassure the timid and trembling. 2. They bring peace to the conscience-stricken and alarmed. 3. They soothe the anxious and distressed. 4. They banish the fears of the foreboding, and inspire with hope. APPLICATION. The preachers of the gospel are commissioned to "speak comfortably to Jerusalem," to bind up the broken-hearted, to pour the balm of consolation i.Dto the spirit of the lowly and the contrite.-T. Ver. 16.-" A door of hope." Stiil continuing his reference to the early history of the chosen people, Hosea assures to the penitent and contrite the blessings of Divine favour, promising to returning Israel " the valley of Achor for a door of hope." As Achor was near Jericho-upon the threshold of the land of promise-the possession of this fertile valley was the earnest of the full and hoped-for inheritance. Entrance upon this was, as it were, passing through the door into the land flowing with milk and honey. I. MEROIEB FOB THE PRESENT. 1. The vineyards represent the possessions and privileges of God's people. They contrast with the dry and thirsty wilderness. They abound with proofs of God's ea.re, with provision for man's wants. God gives his beloved all things richly to enjoy, 2. 'l.'he songs are songs of deliverance, such as Israel sang upon the Red Sea shore; they are songs of rejoicing over enemies vanquished, safety experienced, fellowship in Divine favour. II. PnoBPEOTB FOR THE FUTURE. It is well to enter at the open door ; but the open door admits to the apartments of the house or palace. A. guest does not enter by the door in order to remain standing in the hall; he is welcomed to the family hearth, and the society and enjoyments of the abode of his host. Thus, when God opens to his people a door, it is a door of hope. What they a.re is a promise of what they 11hall be, 71 THE BOOK 01•' HOSEA. , [rn. If, ,1-23,
nnd what they h1\\'c is an earnest of what is provilled for them in the future. Through tbc Yale of Achor they enter into tho land of promiee; and its o.\lundance is to them Lhe a8surance of an unfailing o.nd perennial bounty. Hope extends to every stap:o of the earthly pilgrimage and warfare; there is progress and victory before the Lord's people. And hope st.retches away to the infinite hereafter, which affords for its anticipations a boundless and immortal scope. APPLICATION. The door of hope is by the gospel set open before ev«iry hea.rer of the gospel. "'hat encouragement we have to enter in and to possess the land 1-T. Vers. 19, 20.-Divine betrothal. The unfaithfnlness of the past is forgotten. The love of the Divine Husbanrl is renewed. A joyous betrothal is the. prelude, to a hallowed, prolonged, and happy union. I. 'l'rrE BRIDEGROOM. Jehovah condescends to represent himself as sustainincr 0 this relationship. It implies on his part love and attnchment, .purpose~ of evedastincr kind- 11ess, for the marriage cannot be broken, and a provision for all the wants of her" whom lie takes to himseU. .. • II. THE BRIDE. Israel is here the type of the Church ~hom the Lord Jesus has purchased unto himself-the bride of the Lamb. She is indeed happy and honoured in the choice of her Divine spouse. She is called to purity, to fidelity, to hol_y service., III. 'frrE COVENA:t-."T AND CONTRACT. On the side of th~ Lord all is of grace; and the undertakings of the Bridegroom are "for ever." Ou the side of his spouse, the Cl:urch, 1here is implied the,spiritual marriage vow, with all which that involves. IV. THE SPffiIT IN WHICH TIIE UNION IS CONTRACTED. This isfaithfulness, or the certainty of the fulfilment of the pledge voluntarily given. All.God's proII1iS'3S are sure, for he is faithful. V. THE CONDESCENDING PROMISE OF·'l'HE BlllDEGROOM TO THE BRIDE. "Thon shalt know the Lord." This knowledge shall 'be of all J ehovah's graciou,s attributes; and in itself it is eternal life.-T. ..