Vcn1. 11, 12.-The siTly dove. The fo1ly of siu Is a fr<lquent topio with the inspired writers, and is urged upon the attention of some who may be more fearful of lacking wisdom than of grieving God. ln this passe.ge the prophet makes 'use of a homely and striking similitude with a view to impress upon the rebellious the vanity and simple credu Ii ty of their sinful conduct. I. THE DoVE's PERPLEXITY. .Alarmed by a bird of prey hovering over her and ready to seize her, the simple dove is ready to rush into any dancter. .An emblem of Israel of old, placed between As".yria and Egypt, and, when alarmed by the threats of one power, rc>ady to court the alliance of the other. .And au emblem of foolish sinners, of all nations and of all times, whose only safety and whose only guidance is in God, but who are ever prone to look hither and thither, to human counsellors and to human helpers. II. THE DOYE's FLIGHT. .As the simple dove, in her danger and perpleJ:ity, makes straight for the fowler's net, so Israel, seeking security by her fancied policy, which· in rc>ality was short-sighted and vain, again and again brou_ght herself into national disaster and misery. "'l'hey said, We will ride upon horses." "Therefore," was the responsive prediction, "shall ye flee." Where is the foolish rebel against God who has not by his own unwise precipitation brought himself into ruin and calamity? IIL Tm: DoVE's CAPTURE IN THE NET. 'l'he·dove fails to escape, falls into the snare of the fowler, and perishes. Isra:!l, however she might forget and forsake God, could not evade the penalties of disobedience; for she could not get beyond the range of the Divine government and judicial sway. "I," said Jehovah, "will chastise them, according to the announcement to their congregation." "'l'hough hand join in hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished." Let none imagine that there, is a possibility of eluding Divine justice. -' APPLICATION. The way of wisdom is the way of safety ; and " the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom." It is better to flee to the Lord as to a Tower of refuge, than to fall into the net of retribution.-T.
Ver. 14.-Failure to cry unto the Lord. .As a child in trouble ·calls aloud upon his father for help, as a soldier in danger calls upon a comrade for succour, so sinfnl, feeble, helpless man calls upon his God for deliverance and consolation, and does not call in vain. 'fhe guilt and folly of Israel was great in •sinning, but far greater in neglecting to call upon the Lord with the heart. It appears when it is considered that this duty i.vas neglected- !. ALTHOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES MIGHT HAVE IMPELLED TO SUCH AN INVOCATION. Many a time had Israel been afflicted, and her afflictions were intended in mercy to drive her to the God she had forsaken. No one of us has been without occasion, urgent and distressing occasion, to seek God. Providence has not left us without the inducement, furnished by great straits and sore needs, to seek the God of salvation. II. ALTHOUGH NO OTHER REFUGE OR IIELPER COULD BE FOUND. Israel was ever seeking safety by heathen alliances, by the policy of diplomacy, or by the might of arms. Yet events constantly taught the unwisdom of such recourse to human aid. It is well when the soul is led to exclaim, •• Beside thee there is none else;" "To whom shall I go, but unto thee?" Ill. .ALTHOUGH ENCOURAGED BY THE CHARACTER AND THE PROMISES OF TJlE DIVINE HELPEII. As in the history of Israel, so through all time, the great Ruler bas revealed himself as the great Deliverer. To ue as Christians this revelation is especially plain and effective; for in Jesus we see" the salvation of the Eternal." If it be hard to cry upon a God who is known to 118 only as a just and almighty Judge, surely it is not.hard to call upon a God who has come to 118 in the -person of his Son, full of " grace and truth." IV. ALTHOUGH THE VANITY IS APPARENT-OF CALLING UPON THE LORD ONLY WITH TB& LIPS. We have only to <:onsider our-own spiritual-nature, and to remember that God is a Spirit, in order to feel the absurdity and uselessness _of offering to: Heaven the homage of d,e lips, and withholding the reverence, the faith, the, a.spiratlons of the heart. Ye shall find the Lord, if Wffh GU 11our•hat-e ye truly aeek:him;-T. . . OU. VII, 1-16,] 'l'HE BOOK OF liOSEA. 221