The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 190

JV. DIFFIDENCE EXPECTS DELAY lN THIS PROCESS OF QUICKENING, WHICH THE I,IVING Lono DIBI'ENSES WITH. How natura.l is the shamefaced, modest hope I "Not porhape y<'t, but soon, it may be after a delay of two days; then on the third day the Lord will rPdve us." But the word goes forth," Breathe upon these slain, that they may live I" nnd lo! the breath comes from the four winds without delay, and the dead bones live, and the Lord of life is glorified.-T. Ver. 3.-The quest of Divine know'ledge. In the Old Testa.ment prominence is given t.o the in tellectua.l as well as to the practical side of religion. To the Hebrew, religion was no mere matter of routine and ceremony; it consisted in an acquaintance with the character and ,.,.ill of the Supreme, and in a practical obedience. In this the authority of Uld Testament Scripture is very apparent. True religion as distinguished from human superstition is ba8ed upon an appeal to the intelligence. I. THE AIM. This is, "to know the Lord." Such knowledge was opposed to the idolatry into which Israel had been tempted; it involved recovery to the worship and service of Jeho'<'ah. Revelation has made an extended knowledge of God possible to man. And in his Son Jesus Christ, our heavenly Father has made himself more fully known than even by the Law and the prophets. We may know God by the way of discovery, by the way of experimental acquaintance, and still more fully by the way of voluntary conformity. II. Tm: MEANS. This is by "following on," an expression which implies that it is not by a single effort, but by sustained endeavour, that we a.re to come to the know- ledge of our God and Saviour. This quest of Divine knowledge must be undertaken and carried on urgently and strenuously, in the right direction, under Divine guidance, perseveringly and persistently, and without discouragement. III. THE PR0MlSE. "Then shall we know." Or, if this be not an exact translation, it may be said to represent the spirit and tenor of the passage. "Let us know," i.e. we may if we will, and if we will aright. In the quest of other kinds of knowledge we may be disappointed. It may be too high for WI; our powers may be too feeble. ln the pursuit of some knowledge success may be a curse. But this is a. sure, a precious, a gracious promise. For" this is life eternal, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he has sent."-T. Ver. 3.-Morning and showers. A beautiful description of the privileges and joys appointed for such as follow on to know the Lord. His gracious visitation is compared to the brightness of the daybreak, to the falling of the refreshing and fertilizing showers. The language is doubly applicable to those who receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. L A BUGGEBTION OF HUMAN NEED. It is implied that our state in sin and ignorance is a state of darkness and of drought. 1. Absence of Divine knowledge and favour are as darkness covering the soul with gloom, and society with moral night. 2. The same privation is as drought to the thirsty land. Where no water is, there is barrenness and death. An emblem of those who are without God. II. A BEPBESE!.'TATION oF DIVINE PROVISION. 1. Christ is the Light of the world, the Mornincr at whose presence darkness flees away. He brings daylight and healing on his win°as. Where he comes, he scatters the night of error, ignorance, and sin; he sheds th~ lio-ht of truth and purity. 2. The Holy Spirit is as the rain which falls upon and fertili.z;s the soil-as "the latter and former rain." 'l'he Spirit of God was given in Pentecostal showers, and his influences are diffused throughout the Church. These influences are like the rain-heavenly in origin, silent in operation, free and full in measure, yet individual in appropriation. IIL A1'I ANTICIPATION OF BPlBITUAL BEBULTB. As the sunlight and the showers co-operate to evoke and sustain and perfect life, and to produce fruitfulness and abur:,dance, so is it with the provision made under the gospel. Where Christ is preached, and where his Spirit works, there life abounds and spiritual fertility is apparent. , ArPLICATION. 1. Acknowledge the Source of true blessing. 2. Come under the range of spiritual influence. 3. Seek the diffusion throughout humanity of these priceless blessings.-'!'. OH, VI, 1-11.] 'l'HE BOOK OF HOSEA. 189