again been partially fulfilled; but its complete accomplishment be loners 0 to "the last things." I. AN EN0OUI\AGEMENT TO GODLY REPENTANOE. (Vers. 1, 2.) 'l'he opening clause of vor. 1 consists of an earnest self-exhortation, and this is succeeded in the remainder of the two verses by arguments in support of it. 'l'he nerve-thought of these is, that restoration to the Divine favour will succeed repentance. The expatriated Hebrews, in their miserable exile and God-forsakenness, shall have a profound conviction of their guilt wrought within their hearts; and they shall return to their long-slighted Lord in the confident hope of a favourable reception. Their restoration, they are persuaded, will be: 1. Certain. 'l.'be words of vers. 1, 2 evince strong faith. There is in them the pulse-beat of a firm confidence. He who tore will also heal. He who inflicted the agony will bestow the joy. 'l.'rue penitence is always accompanied with some ·measure of faith. It cherishes the hope of mercy, It lays hold of the truth contained in that magnificent proverb, "God never strikes with both hands." It accepts the testimony of the Eternal, that he" dwells with him that is of a contrite and bumble spirit." 2. Speedy. The definite limits of time here mentioned (ver. 2) are intended to assure us that the restoration of Israel shall come not only certainly, but quickly. Jehovah is slow to chide, but he is swift to bless. It may seem to us a long time since Israel's rejection; it is now nearly two thousand years since the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. But "one da.y is with the Lord," etc. (2 Pet. iii. 8). Many commentators have judged that Christ's resurrection "in the third day" is indicated here. And no doubt an analogy is traceable between the events of Israel's history and events in the life of the Messiah (cf. eh. xi. 1 and Matt. ii. 15). But it is one thing to apply the prophet's words to the great fact of Christ's resurrection, and another thing to conclude that that event is even so much as indirectly foretold by this language. 3. Complete. " We shall live before his face" (ver. 2). The face is an index of character. It reveals the mind and heart. A man naturally turns his face towards the person whom he loves, and turns it a.way from one whom he dislikes. God had "withdrawn himself from " 1drael (eh. v. 6, 15); but now again, in the day of their revival, he shall" cause his rac.. to shine upon them." The contrite ones live in the open smile of the Divine favour, and enjoy the perpetual sunshine of the Divine presence. II. AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO SAVING KNOWLEDGE. (Ver. 3.) The first pa.rt of this verse should be translated, "Then let us know, follow on to know, Jehovah.'' Thls is a further self-exhortation, parallel to that in ver. L Jehovah had become unknown in Israel (eh. iv. 1). But the resolve to" return" to him involves the resolntion to "know" him, and to grow in that knowledge continually. Such knowledge has a very practical aim. It is a life, not a mere science; an experience, not a speculation. It leads a man to own God and to serve him. U will fill the mind with brightness, and the life with fruitfulness. We sometimes call theology "the queen of the sciences;" but this heart-knowledge of God is more-it is "life eternal" (John :x:vii. 3). Two very attractive emblems are presented in the latter part of the verse for our encouragement in the pursuit of sa.ving knowledge. With the ancient Jewish rabbins, we are to see in these an anticipation of the Redeemer of men. Jehovah comes in the Person of his Son, Jesus Christ, as "the morning;" and he comes in the Spirit of his Son, as "the rain." 1. " The morning.'' 'l.'he Lord Jesus is the Aurora, or Dayspring from on high ;-the Sun of righteousness, who has a.risen with healing in his wings. He will be welcomed yet a.s such by the entire Hebrew na.tion. His coming has flooded the world with the light of life. "His going forth," like the morning, brings brightness and Joy to the believer. "0 happy da.y, tha~ fixed my choice," etc. It brings also freshness ; for the knowledge of Jesus is to the Christian always new, a.n<l full of infinite variet_v. The morning is irresistible in its coming; and the " going forth" of Christ "is prepared as the morning," i.e. decreed in the purposes of Jehovah's love. The morning comes increasingly; and thus also the believer who follows on to know the Lord shall "go from strength to strength," from the dawning light "unto the perfect d~y " (Prov. iv. 18). 2. " The rain." In Palestine, the two rainy seasons here referreu to were most necessary and precious. The" former rain," which fell in October, preceded the seed- time, and prepl\red the earth for cultivation. The" latter rain," which fell in April, fille,I the ears before harvest, and perfected the fruit. Now, God shall come to Israel in the last days-as };Le comeij to hi8 people in every age-by hi:1 Holy S1Jirit, ":is the HOSEA. !I 178
min." The rain is refre._,hing; and so the knowledge whloh the Spirit lrop:nt~ eom~ forts the heRrts of young converts, aud matures the character of experienced Chrietfane.· The rainfall is t•armbk; and the coming of the Spirit varies in like manner, according to God's will and our faith. The rain is t,"(Juble-givinq-it oomes amid ehndo1\I' o.nd· gloom, sometimes with thunder and wmpest; and so tho Spirit ol'ten visits tho Mul hy_ means of deep and painfol bee.rt-searchings on account of sin. The rnin lsfe,·tilizing -1 ts absence would cause dearth and barrenness; so the knowledge of God will make those hearts fruitful v.hich beforetime yielded only thorns and briers (Hcb, vi. 7, 8). , CoNCLllSION. Alt.hough we in this age do not live in the lRSt days of Israel's restora- tion, the sweet voice of this mutual appeal is for us. We need to stir up our own heart.s to exercise the grace of repentance,_ and to purs~le the study of saving knowledge. Some of us perhaps have gone astray into very m.1ry F~ths, o.nd have b_een sorely c,hastis~d for our sin. Oh for grace to respond to this twofold appeal, that we may know the Lord our Saviour a.s the bright Morning e.nd the genial Rnin, and that we nray "live in his sight"!-C. J. • '