The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 194

we may translate those ideas into emotions, and every day we may cherish those emotions into dominant forces of the souL All this requires the most resolute and persistent effort. II. Goo IN A MAN-WARD DIRECTION. The man who goes forth in search of a heart- acquaintance with Jehovah will meet with him iu the way. "His [that is Jebovah's] going forth is prepared as the morning." God comes forth to all men b~t he comes forth in a special way to all those who are pressing after an acquaintanc; with himself. 1. He corues to them full of promise. "As the morning." What a delightful season is the morning: it rings the knell of the <lark night, and heralds the beauties and ~rig?tness of the corning day! How the sufferer in his midnight agonies, the mariner rn his nocturnal tempest, h::ul the first grey beams of the morning I The night of 0auilt and dark foreboding is broken by the morning of God's manifestatious of love. We could not bear God to come f:o us as the high noon-his effulgence would burn us up; hence be comes as the mormng. 2. He comes to them full of refreshing influence. "He shall come unto us as the rain." What a glorious change se,1sonable showers produce on the parched earth I They touch every part into life and beauty. Such is the influence of God upon the heart of the devout inquirer. CONCLUSION. How sublime the destiny of the truly good man I He goes forth in search of a knowledge, not of the creation, but of the Creator himself; and the Creator appears to him full of the promise of the morning and of the influence of refreshing tihowers. What is the world to him? Whilst worldly men "Things terrestrial worship as Divine, His hopes immortal blow them by, as dust That dims his sight, and shortens his survey, Which longs, in infinite, to lose all bounds." (Dr. Young.) D.T. Ver. 4.-A threefold theme. "0 Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? 0 Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away." " Whe.t shall I do to thee, 0 Ephraim I Whd shell I do to thee, 0 Judah ! For your goodness is like the morning cloud, And like the dew which early depe.rteth." (Henderson.) Here we have a threefold theme of thought. L DIVIKE soLICITUDE. Here the Infinite condescends to speak after the manner of men, that men may appreciate him. The language seems to imply: 1. I have doM much Jar thee. It has the sound of another utterance, " What more could I have done to my vineyard that has not been done in it?" (Isa. v. 4). God has done much for Ephraim and Judah. He had given them emancipators, lawgivers, priests, prophets; granted to .,i:iem for ages many signal and merciful mauifentations of himself. 2. I am i-eady to do more. My heart overflows with compassion. Your rebellions and your iuiquities have not exhausted my love. I am still ready to show you mercy. 3. I am fettered in my actions. I know not what to do; I am nonplussed. The In.finite has limits of action; .A.huigbtiness bas restrictions. All things are not possible with God. ] t is not possible for him to tell a lie, it is not possible for him to be immoral, it is not possible for him to make moral intelligences virtuous and happy contrary to their will. Christ said to the men of Jerusalem, "I would, but ye would not." "What shall I do?" What woude1ful language this for the Infinite to employ I His incapacity at this point is his glory. It is his glory that he will not outrage moral minds. II. HuMAN PERVERSITY. The right answer to this appeal, "What shall I do unto thee?" would have been, " Whatever thou willest, Lord; " " Not our will, but thiue, be d0ne." We cordially submit to thine authority, we loyally acquiesce in thy e.rrange- rueDts, we lovingly yield to thy operations. This is the language of heaven, hence God lrnows p.o restrictions i.p his operations there; all go with him, i,.nd he :pours forth his OR. Vl. 1-11.] THE BOOK OF HOSEA. 193