The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 350

diRohedicaoe t,o Law, they lea.rot that God WM King, that ho WIUI nMr tl1at ho WAI wleo, and imperfect though tho revelation WR.I!, it WM the most they o~uld receive. God RpRke R.B they were able to hoor it. He de11.lt with them BA we deal with children. Nor is he Jei;s wi~e or Iese ternlcr in our cnlture, but beRrs with ue while we aro feeble In thought and resolve, Rnd blesSCB us in the first trembling etcpe we OBBa.y in the way of rightl'ousnes~. II. Tm: TRUTH llET FORTH _BY nm 1"I01;"RE-namely, that _tho Lord le very pittrul, nnd of t,•nder m<'rcy. 1. In his co11deRCtmn0rt he does t1ot despise w. F.e;eltiel describes a newly born child, taken up in its pov<'rty Mid misery by tender he.nds, as a represen- tation of what Israel had been to God. We have known such examples of human kindness: the foundling left to the stranger, whose motherly henrt went out in pity as she resolved that, in spit.c of all her own cares, the little one should not perish for w~nt because of its parent's sin. Much moro unworthy are we of the Divine regard, for each may say," I am no more worthy to be ea.lied thy son." Even in earthly advantages we ncYcr won nor deserved, how many of us have been blessed I The home where no evil words are heard, where those who love us are daily witnesses for God, the· heritage of a good name and wholesome habits, the teara and entreaties and prayers which win us to the love of righteousnesi;,-a.ll these are signs that God can say of many now in wisdom's way, "I taught you to walk, taking you by the arms." 2. In his wisdom he does notj<Yrce us. We are not automatons. '!'hey may do wonderful thinga without noise, or disobedience, or wrangling; but God he.s not made ua thua. We o.re, as the text suggests, children, who can make their own effort, but to it they must be prompted, in it they must be supported and helped. When the stirrings of a new life are felt in the soul, the question comes, " Who then is willing to consecrate himself to the Lord ? " and it is only the self-consecrated servants God will have. It is a poor thing to employ the forced Jo.hour of those whose bodies are their owner's, but whose souls loathe him; but a blessed thing to have the loyal and loving service of the child, to whom a glance or a whisper means a command which it is his joy to obey. 3. In his graciousness he does not curse us. Children a.re weak and wayward; they forget wha.t they are told, and do what is amiss; but their father says to himself," They are but children," and he cannot be bitter or unjust. When Peter denied his Lord, falling through moral weak- ness, an angry curse might have driven him to despair; but " the Lord turned and looked on him," and as he went out, weeping bitterly, he yet could say," The Lord loves me still." Christ drew him back with oords of love. •4. In his patience he does not demand of us instant perfectim,,. Picture the scene suggested here. A child is about to take his first step. The mother is beside him, encouraging every step, or half-step, with a smile. Her eye doee not wander from him for a moment; her hands are out to encourage, to support, to save, as she says, "Try, dear, try." When o.t laRt the effort is made, she catches him up in her arms and kisses him; and if you wondered at so much gladneBB and love being shown over such a feeble attempt, she would be annoyed at your dulness, because she sees in this the promise of the future. By such a homely illustration does Hosea. set forth the Divine tendemesi!. God's "gentleness makes us a:rcat." Ch1ist Jesus expected nothing wonderful from his disciples; but patiently lived with them and taught them, forgiving, encouraging, and upholding, till they becsme brave and stalwart heroes of the cross. Only•iet us keep near him, and as we reco!!!lize the difficulties of our way and the weakness of our nature, let the prayer of the psalmist be ours, "Hold thou me up, and I sha.lL be safe."-A. R. Ver. 4 (first clause).-77ie attractiveneaa of God. These words a.re true for all ages and peopfes. Human laws are limited, but Divine laws are universal. Gravitation, for example, draws material things to each other, whether they be the ice-floes that float in the polar seas, or the creepers which bang in heavy festoons in tropical forests; whether in the land where liberty loves the light, or in the kingdom where tyrants brood and conApirators glower in the darkness. 'l'he bold use of the second verse in this chapter by Matthew (ii. 15) shows how in the special historical fact may be dii;cerned the genera.I and universe.I principle. 'l'he Divine care of Israel was but a. ma1iifestation of the Divine care of the Babe of Bethlehem, and of every one Jed out of bondage and darkness into light and liberty. 'l'he soul's exodus and pilgrimage is as real now as then, and of thOBe rejoicing in nearness to God he can HY, "I drew en, x,. 1-12.] THE BOOK OF HOSEA. 3;:;1