The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 198

"Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding smnll • Though with patienoe he stands wa.iting, with exaotness grinds he nil.': (Longfellow.) D.T. Vers. 1-8.-Returning to God. Affliction is represented as having at leno-th accomplished its work. In the far country the prodigal bethinks himself of his father's house. He comes to himself. He says, "I will arise," etc. (Luke xv. 18). Thus shall lsTael at last take with them words, and turn to the Lord (eh. xiv. 2). The words stand as a form for Israel to take up whenever their hearts sha.11 turn to the Lord (2 Cor. iii. 16). I. RETURN TO GoD RESOLVED UPON. (Ver. 1.) The people incite one another to return to God, as formerly they had encouraged one another in wickedness. They strengthen each other's good resolves. This is as it should be. '!'heir lano-uao-e is that of true wisdom. It shows: 1. That they rightly understand the Sourr,e of th;ir affl,ic- tion. "Let us retnrn unto the Lord: for he hath torn," etc. They see God's hand in what has befallen them. They recognize him as their Chastener. They own the justice of what he has done. 'l'hey acknowledge their sufferings to be a just punishment for their sins. The penitent justifies God and condemns himself (Ps. Ii. 4). 2. That they recognize Goirs benejken,t hand in their affl,iction. "He hath torn, and he will heal us," etc. They no longer upbraid God because he has dealt thus hardly with them. They feel that they deserved it all and more. They perceive, too, what his end has been in the tribulation through which he has caused them to pass, viz. to subdue tl.ieir rebelliousness, and bring them to repentance, that he might heal them. God's rod has always kindness hidden behind it. The true penitent owns this. 3. That they have confidenre in Gorl's power and willingness to restore them. They argue from his power to smite what his power must be to heal. His power to destroy is the measure of his power to save. Nor do they doubt-perceiving as they do his hand in afflicting them-that if they return they will be graciously received (eh. xiv. 2, 4). The sinner may always have this confidence towards God. He has no pleasure in afflicting. He desires only to lead to repentance. When the sinner returns, he may rely on a warm welcome. The wounds made by his Law or his judgments God will heal; his smiting will prove to have been in love. II. lsRA..EL's HOPE m RETURN TO Go». (Ver. 2.) Returning to God, the people are confident that God will "revive" them, will "raise them up.n The terms include both national restoration and spiritual quickening. 1. Revival implies a previous stat~ of <ieath. So Israel, in her banishment, was as it were dead to God. The nation is still sunk in the moral -death of unbelief. Its recovery will be as "life from the dead" (Rom. ii. 15). The soul, in its natural condition, ie "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. ii 1). 2. Revival is an act of Divine power. An act even of omuipotence (Eph. i. 19). Only Omnipotence can "open the graves" of scattered and rejected Israel (Ezek. mvii 11-14). Omnipotence is required for all resurrection (Matt. xxii. 29)- the resurrection of Christ (Eph. i. 20), the resurrection of the dead soul (John v. 26), the resurrection of the body (John v. 28, 29; 1 Cor. xv. 35-58). Only almighty power can revive the Church when life is gone, or is going, out of it. 3. Revival follows speedily on penitent return. "After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up.n The words indicate a short period. Israel would not be kept waiting at the door of mercy. God hastens to rueet the returning sinner with his mercies. David was forgiven the instant he confessed (Pa. xxxii. 5). 'l'he prodigal was without delay reinstated in hie place as son (Luke xv. 22-24). 4. Revival is throuyh Christ. His resurrection is the pattern and ground of every other (Eph. i. 19, 20). Israel's history in a manner recapitulated itself in him. His rejection and death wa~ for her sins, and the sins of the whole world. In his cross the judgruent of God on sin !! 11lminated. His resurrection, in like manner, conditions all revival. lt is thereforu on. VL 1-11.] THE BOOK OF HOSEA. 197