the Assyrian power. 1. The WMBhip of false gods. (Ver. 11.) "The commandment" refers to Jeroboo.m'a idolo.trous innovation in erecting the two golden calves. Thi~ men.sure wes the result of considerations of state policy on the part of a prince who did not himself rely upon the Divine proooction. But the people accepted it "willingly," showing thereby tho.t their hearts also were not right in the sight of God. The calf-worship wo.s the root of the entire apostasy of Israel ; it prepared the way for the grosser idolatry of Baalism, with its attendant train of moral disorder, vice, and crime. It wo.s Jeroboam's sin that sowed the seeds of the ruin of the whole Hebrew nation. 2. The calling in of incompetent physicians. (Ver. 13.) Israel was suffering from the "sickness" of anarchy, and bleeding from the" wound" of revolution; yet he would not recognize in these distresses a token of the Divine diApleasure. He refused to listen to the messages of warning which God sent him by Hosea, and kept looking to second causes alone, both for the disease and the remedy. Ephraim "sent to King Jareb." The word" Jareb" means" warrior,"" adversary,"" avenger;" and it is to be understood probably not as a proper name, but as a poetical epithet applied by the prophet himself to the King of Assyria. Again and again the two Hebrew kingdoms sought to make peace with the Assyrian power, buying him off by tribute, and occupying a position of abject vassalage (2 Kings xv.-xviii.). All, however, was in vain. This untheo- cratic policy did not even heal the hurt slightly; it made matters worse (2 Chron. xxviii. 20). But the nations still have their King Jarebs to whom they apply when seeking a cure for their moral maladies. How numerous are the favourite social nostrums I With some, the hope of Great Britain is the further expansion of trade ; with others, the spread of education ; with others, "local option;" with others, pal'liamentary reform; with others, religious equality. But such expedients, however desirable in their own place, are at best only plasters and patches. Where the heart is the seat of the disease, the cure must be inward and radical. We must send, not to King Jareb, but to King Jesus. So, also, there are Jarebs to which guilt-stricken and sin-sick souls still apply. One seeks an anodyne in the pursuit of wealth; another fills high the bowl of sensuous pleasure; a third pays court to culture and the fine arts; a fourth labours hard in his own strength to live a clean moral life. But none of these pursuits can salve the wounds of sin. Only the application of the blood of Christ can bring spiritual life and health and blessing. III. THE DESIGN OF THE JUDGMENTS. (Ver. 15.) The Book of Hosea is full of clouds aud darkness; but behind them somewhere the sun is ever shining. And as we gaze upon the storm we see the rainbow of grace springing up in its very bosom. This closing verse of the chapter reminds us that the judgments are inflicted: 1. To produce penitence. For, after all, the Lord has only withdrawr. a little way from his apostate people. If they will but have it so, he has only " returned to his place" for a short time (Isa. liv. 7-10). He has not cast them off finally, but only until they shall become convinced that they can have no comfort or salvation apart from himself. 'l'he first step in repentance is conviction and acknowledgment of sin. And multitudes of souls have been brought to take this step during a time of "affliction." 2. To bring back to God. To "seek God's face" is to seek his favour, his Son, his Spirit, the ordinances of his grace. To "seek him early" is to d0 so urgently, after the manner of one who will rise before the morning in very eagerness. If we view this verse as a prediction regarding the future of the Hebrew nation, we may find partial fulfilments of it towards the close of the Babylonish exile (Dan. ix.), and on the day of Pentecost (Acts ii.); and we know that it will be fully realized in that national conversion of the Jews which is to precede the second advent of Christ (Zech. xii.; Rom. xi.). But the promise before us has a perennial lesson also to " sinners of the Gentiles." It assures us of the glad welcome which our God will give us-despite whatever guilt may have stained our lives, and the deep corruption which assuredly still dwells within our hearts -if only we turn to him in penitence, and make him our Righteousness and Strength and Hope.-0. J.
Vers. 10-13.-The misuse of Divine judgments. It is well for our rest and strength when, like the prophet, we can exercise steadfast faith in the unseen Ruler of all human affairs. Many events appear to contradict the theory of a wise and loving government. Causes which are i;eon seem adequate to produce the effects which arise lfi2 THF. BOOK OF HOSEA. [all, v, 1-lB,