The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 355

Vor. 0.-God an~ not man . . ~ell is it for us that there a.re respects in which God ls as mn.n; that he 1s sympath1z1ng and (as we say) humane. But better is it for us that in other respects God is not as man; for, had he been subject to like passions with ourselves, he would not have borne with us, and we should have been utterly con- sumed. I. A nEVELATION OF DIVINE SUPERIORITY. God, in his treatment of mankind has shown himself to be altogether superior: 1. To human ignorance. He knows ~s as we cannot know one another, and all hfa counsels have been counsels of consummate wisdom. 2. 'l'o human vacillation. We are prone to be swayed, now by this motive and again by that; there is no such thing as perfect consi~tency and steadfastness in man. But God is above all such human weakness. "I am the Lord that chan<1eth not therefore the sons of Jacob are not consumed." "God is faithful," and we ~ay trusf him with an implicit confidence. 3. To human impatience. '!'he hasty impatience of man with his fellow-man is in striking contrast with the forbearance of the supreme Ruler. Long-suffering is ever represented in the Scriptures as his especial attribute, and there is none for which we have more reason to be grateful. Had he not been a patient God he would not have borne with any one of us, for all have taxed and tried his patience. IT. Ai. ENCOURAGEMENT TO HUMAN CONFIDENCE. It is well always to begin with the consideration of God's character and attributes. But we cannot end there. We naturally and properly turn our regard towards ourselves, and see what is the bearing of the Divine attributes upon our necessities. This we may learn from the assurance that we are in the hands of One who is God and not man-we may learn to cast our- selves with unhesitating confidence upon the Divine faithfulness and grace. No human pettiness shall we meet with from him, but large-hearted forbearance, sympathy, bounty, and love.-T. Vers. 1-7.-A typical portrait of a people. "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Ba.alim, and burned incense to graven images. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms ; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels. And my people are bent to backsliding from me; though they called them to the Most High, none at all would exalt him." In these verses we have three things worthy of note. I. A HIGHLY FAVOURED PEOPLE. What is said here concerning the people of Israel? 1. God loved them. "When Israel was a child, then I loved him. n "Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn" (Exod. iv. 22). The early period of the existence of the Hebrew people is frequently represented as their youth (Isa.. liv. 15; Jer. ii. 2). Why the Almighty should have manifested a special interest in the descend- ants of Abraham is a question which the Infinite only can answer. We know, however, that he loves all men. "God so loved the world, that he gave," etc. 2. God emancipated them. "And called my son out of Egypt." He broke the rod of their oppressor. He delivered them from Egyptian thraldom. This material emancipation of the Jews is a striking emblem of the great moral emancipation. 3. God edu.cated them. "I taught Ephraim also to go." Some read this !ine," I have given Ephraim a. leader "-referring to Moses. Moses was only the instrument. "I taught Ephraim also to go "-as a child in leading-strings is taught. When they were in the wilderness God led them by a pillar of cloud. 4. God healed them. "I healed them." "I am the Lord that healeth thee" (Exod. xv. 26). 5. God guided them. "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love." With human cords I drew them, with bands of love. Ha did not draw them by might; he attracted them by mercy. 6. God relieved them. "I was to them as they that take off the yoko on their jaws." As the kind farmer rnises from the neck and cheek of the ox the heavy yoke, so as to leave him freedom to oat his food, so I raised from your neck the yoke of Egyptian bondage. 7. God fed them. "I laid meat unto them." He rained mauoa about their camp. He gave them bread from heaven, and water from the rock. What. a kind God he was to these  'i'HF, BOOR OF HOSEA. [en. xr, 1-12.