Co~cl,URIO:tl, llewcire of pesumin,q tm ])fointJ long-suffering. What more mad and poriloua than to leap into the e.ngry sea. becau11e the lifeboat ie there J Whllt m,mi nngonerous e.nd unmanly than the conduct of him who says in hiA heart "I will be hard, because God is so tcnrler ; I will withdraw further from him, becaue~ I know he loves me" I "How shall wo escape, if we neglect so great salvation? "-A. P.. Ver. 1.-" When Israel waa a chi7d." There is something wonderfnlly touchin"' in this represcntntion of God's affection e.nd compaReion towards the nation of his ch~ic,•. 'l'he father, distressed in heart becauee of hie son's waywardness anrl rlisafl'ection recalls the period of that son's childhood, when parental care and love watched over an,/ apheld and guided him. Now that Jamel has done wickedly in departing from God in the midst of deserved upbraiding and rebuke, the Lord appeals to the memory of e;rly and better days, Israel symbolizes humanity, and Jehovah's watchful ea.re and tender Jove to Israel is representative of hie feelings towards and hls treatment of the children of men. 'l'hree stageR are here noticeable. I. LOVE, To Abraham, God bad revealed himself a.s an attached and a.ffoctionate Friend; he was designated" the friend of God." Towards the second father of the nation Moses, Jehovah had manifested himself in a manner remarkable for intimacy. 'l'he lov; which marked the call of Abraham was displayed in the treatment of his descendanta. But "God is love," and mankind is the object of his fatherly regard. Love revealed in Christ appeals to our hearts. "We love him, because be first loved us." II. ADOPTION. Jehovah is represented as regarding and treating Israel as his son, as thinking with a fatherly fondness and tenderness of Israel's early days: "·when Israel was a cl1ild." It is the glory of revelation that it ha.a taught llB to look up and to sa.y, "Our Father, which art in heaven." The effect of our Saviour's work is that hia dis- ciples may have the adoption of sons; the Spirit of God within them is the Spirit ot adoption. III. DELIVERANCE, Jehovah "called his son out of Egypt." A reminder of merciful interposition and mighty deliverance was a fit l!llmmons to submission and reconcilia- tion. It is, indeed, a Divine appeal. By the memory of the great Redemption, tbe God of righteousness calls for our obedience and devotion. He has redeemed us that we may be a holy, filial, and devoted people, recognizing bis fatherly favour, and evincing our gratitude for his delivering hand which has interposed on our behalf.-T. Ver. 8.-Healing !fT'~ unreoogniud. The gentle, considerate, and tender manner in which Jehovah bad treated Ephraim is very strikingly portrayed in the figurative language of the first. part of this verse. Ephraim is depicted as a little child who is just learning to walk. The Lord condescends to represent himself a..e taking Ephraim by the arms, upholding the feeble, tottering form, and guiding the uncertain, unsteady steps. Such treatment augments the sin of insensibility and ingratitude on the part of those who have been dealt with so compassionately, and yet have forgotten their Helper. I. 'J'HE CHARACTER IN WHIOH GoD REVEALED IDMBELF TO IBRAEL, He was their "Healer," which implies that they had been wounded, sick, and helpless. When Israel bad been in such a case, their covenant God had again and again interposed upon their behalf to succour, to heal, to save them. IJ, THE INBEN~IDILITY WHICH IBRAEL HAD DIBPLAYEJ) TO BUCH GRACIOUS TREATMENT. 1. 'l'his insensibility was a. proof that the spiritual benefit intended bad not been realized. Men often resemble Israel in recelvina temporal advantages and bounties from the hand of God, without learning the lesson of devout acknowledgment and filial a.ffoction. 2. This insensibility was an occasion of sorrow to the Divine Benefactor. God is not indifferent to such a resP.onse rendered to his kindness and love; it di~tresses his fatherly heart. 3. 'l'his insensibility called for repentance and a better mind; or must needs involve, if per~evered in, debasement and punishment.-'£. Ver. 4.-" Oords of a man." Language is lavished to impre~s upon Israel the graci?us, the unrleserved, but generous and forbearing treatment received from the Mo.it High. As though an exhibition of the justice of obtdience and piety were insufficient, there is added many a repreeentntion of the mercy which has marked the Lord's treatment of his ungrateful and rebellious people. HOBEA, 2A THE BOOK OF HOSEA. (on, xr, 1-12.
J. GRACIOUS ATTRACTION. Instead of driving men with &uthorltv, God draws them wit.h ii trnly humaine and tender persuaision. Wo see this in tho whole Christinu scheme, in the gift of Jesus Christ, in his spiritual dispensation, in which he is" dmwing all mc11 unto himself." No violence, but I\ sweet and hallowe~ constre.int is, in the gospel, hr0nght to bear upon the hcairt. We feel that the motives addressed to us are w1·r different from whiit we might have expected, e.nd from whe.t hume.n e.uthority would prohabl~· ha'<'e employed. II. MERCIFUL RELIEF. God's treatment of Israel is represented e.s resembling thnt of the husbandman who suffers the labouring ox to pause in his toil, and who lifts the oppressi'<'e and gitlling yoke to afford tho beast a little welcome relict'. Simile.rly Goel has not dcitlt. with us after our sins. In the midst of wrath he has remembered,diercy. 1 It is bis delight to unloose the heavy burden, and to let the oppressed go fr ec. • Christ's prized invitation is an instance in point: "Come unto me, nil ye that labour. . . . My yoke is ea.sy, and my burden is light." III. BOUNTIFUL PROVISION. The Hebrew was forbidden to muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. The conduct here recorded goes beyond a mere permission to feed ; for the generous owner is depicted as setting food before the hungry animal. A homely but just and impressive image of the Divine treatment of those who look to him. " He openeth his hands, and sa.tisfieth," etc. He gives them" bread from heaveu to eat." The provisions of the gospel are spread before the hungering, needy soul, and the invitation is addressed to all who are in want: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters! "-T.