The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 188

prayer, bccnnse he could say, "To the Lord our God belong mercies nnd forgivenesses, though we bave rebelled 11gainst him" (see also Micah vii. 18; Ezek. xviii. 32, oto.). In the fulness of time God sent his Son, that men might know his love that it might be "commended" t-0 them; yet even the Son of God was cast out and ~rucified. Illustrate by the parable of the wicked husbandmen. 'l'he question in our text was 11nswered in the cross. Beyond that, as the means of pardon and the centre of e.ttraction, God can do no more. If there be any question unsolved respecting the absolute, infinite, 11ud perfect God, we find its only answer for us in Christ-the Embodiment of love the Fount of mercy, to all who come to him. Give examples of those who came during Ch;ist's ministry. "No man knoweth the l<'ather, but the Son; and he to whom the-Son shn.ll rc1·eal him." Compare the text with the words of Christ on Olivet (Matt. x.xiii. 37). 2. This has been proved in human experience. It is one thing to feel compassion, another thing t<:> show it. Much sentimentalism is in the world (stirred by fiction) which finds no outlet in benevolence. But the thought o.nd act of God are one. He is recallio"' here what he had done for Israel, as well as what he had felt towards Israel, when h~ asked, "What shall I do unto thee?" Deliverance from Egypt, help in the wilderness settlement in Canaan, might he.ve beeo cords to bind them to Jehovah; but" they :-oon forgat his works." Wealth, success, vict-Ory, were ascribed to political skill or warlike prowess, and not to him who" gave power to get wealth." Examples can be iziven in modern history of nations losing sobriety, self-restraint, modesty, thrift, equity, etc., by the very blessings which were designed to keep them near God. Thus is it with individuals. Their lives are unwearied by pain and their minds untainted by disease.; they have had no heritage of evil habit, or of gross shame from their parents; in their homes they are encircled by love and baptized by prayer. Whence and why all this?, Is it that strength may be wasted in pleasure, that thought may feed itself on the husks of Positivism, that success may generate self-confidence, that men may. be enchained more lastingly to earth? "Knowest thou not," says St. Paul, "that the goodness of God leadeth to repentance ? " " \Ve beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice." ('l'ext.) Besides all this, sorrow and disappointment have spoken unmistakably. The scheme has broken do'lrn and left you penniless; illness has swept you from daily work, leaving you like driftwood on the shore; death has crossed the threshold, and said, "Eternity is near J" What more can, God do to arouse t-0 repentance? Wot·ds of man, inspired as messages from God, have borne witness. Few in this Christian land can say, "I was never warned against sin, and never knew that 'God waR in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.'" Remembering all the pleading and warning sent through the Church and the Word and the home to conscience, may not the te:xt be uttered by Jehovah over many? Il. THAT THE MEA.NB EMPLOYED TO BRING llEN TO REPENT.ANOE SOMETIMES FA.II. TO DO MORE THAN ABOUSE TRANSIENT FEELING. "Your goodness is as the morning cloud," etc. Nothing is more mysterious than the st.ruggle of God's Spirit with man's soul God created free men and accepted all the responsibilities of doing so, foreseeing the possibilities of their development. Laying aside his power to rule by decree, and watch the work of automatons, he endued man with liberty, so that it could be said to the impenitent," Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost." If we perish, it is in defiance of him. It was by fighting against God that the good feeliog aroused in Israel was dissipated like ·the morning cloud. 1. Exampl~ of this transient goodness abound. Hosea saw hearers moved to tears, knew their resolves to have done with the idols and return to Jehovah; yet all this came to nothiog. In our day, some visited in illoeRs vow that they will Jive a different life; yet with returning health comes returning indifference. Others, in the hour of temptation, are deli 1·ered by the uprising of tender memories; but these are not abiding. In brief, no one has been condemned who could not recall good resolves, 'rhe past is strewn with their fragments. 2. The illustration of transient goodness in the text is suggestive. l<'ew things are more beautiful than the cloud tinged with the rosyUght.of dawn~. In an Eastern land it would be full of promise too. It might prove like that over which Elijah rejoiced, only as a man's hand in itself, but the precursor of hosts of r~in-laden clouds which would deluge the world with plessing. But imperceptibly it vanishes; and once gone, no power on earth can recall it. The" early dew" is exquisite in beauty, scattered 011. VI. 1-11,) THE BOOK OF HOSEA. 187