The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 382

eternal "I Am"? In the second part of the verse the prophet looks at converlrion on its practical side. The reality of Ephraim's return to God would show itself in the discharge of moral duty. "Mercy o.nd judgment" are the sum of the duties which we owo to our neighbour, and tho performance of these is the most convincing outward evidence of piety (Ps. xv.). Again, to" wait on God continually" excludes idolatry and image-worship, nnd all other sins against the first table of the Law. Jacob had learned at Peniel to renounce the carnal device of supplanting, and when he came the second time to Bethel he put away Rachel's teraphim and other household gods. Now Ephraim must begin to-clay to act BO if he would hecome, before it is too late, a worthy descendant. of his ancestor. True turning to God involves obedience to both tables of the moral Law. LESSONS, 1. The sinfulness of insincerity in worship ( eh. xi. 12). 2. The mis- chievousness of a life of sin (eh. xii. 1). 3. The duty of following the faith of our godly 11,ncestors (vers. 3, 4). 4, Places which have been the scenes of special mercy ehould be dear to God's people (ver. 4). 6. The power that there is in penitent believing prayer (vers. 3, 4). 6. "The Name of the Lord is a strong tower;" it brings to the godly man strength and hope and joy (ver. 5). 7. The practical nature of true piety (ver. 6).-C. J, Vere. 7-14,-Three painful contrasts. In this strophe the threatening of punish- ment is. again repeated (ver. 14). Ephraim's blood-guiltiness is to be left upon him; i.e. . his sin is not to be pardoned. The •~ reproach n or dishonour which be has done to God by his idolatry and iniquity God will repay him, But the denunciation is mixed with mercy. "I will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles" (ver. 9) seems to include, not only a threatening or banishment from "the Lord's land," but a new redemption from the coming Egypt-like bondage, which shr.11 bring with it rest and freedom ancl prosperity, Beyond his captivity, Ephraim shall keep the joyous Feast of Tabernacles again, as a .memorial of Messianic mercies in connection with his restoration. .As Ewald, however, remarks, the main feature of these verses consists in "three com- pressed comparisons." • I. "ISRAEL" BAB BECOME "CANAAN." (Vers. 7, 8.) The "prince with God" has degenerated into a cheating huckster; the descendants of the godly Jacob have become like paltry Phcenician pedlars. Instead of "keeping mercy and judgment" (ver. 6) in their commercial dealings, they love to practise deception and oppression. Ephraim, accordingly, doe$ not deserve to be called by the honourable name of "Israel;" he exhibits rather. the innate characteristics of the Canaanite tribes, and ma.y well be spoken of as "Canaan!' But, worse even than that, the people are spiritually self- complacent, all the while that they deal so dishonestly. They deceive themselves with the notion that their ha.bits of social injustice involve no sin against God. They ignore the teaching of their law about "just balances, and just weights" (Lev. xix. 36; Deut. xxv. 13-16). Enough for them if they become rich through their ill-gotten gains. They even argue that their continued success in acquiring riches by means of " the balances of deceit" is an evidence that the Lord cannot be angry with them (ver. 8). Lessons: I. It is a spurious piety which does not take to do with " weights and measures." 2. The dangers of covetousness, a besetting sin of many Church members, 3. Long-continued temporal prosperity is not necessarily a token of God's favour. 4. Ungodly men pervert the Divine goodness and forbearance into an encouragement to persist in their sinful courses. II. EPHRAIM HAS FORSAKEN THE PROPHETS FOR HEATHEN ALTARS, (Vers. 10, ll.) Jehovah, who had been his God "from the lo.nu of Egypt," had shown his love for the nation in raising up a succession of men as their teachers, upon whom ~e caused his Spirit to rest. 'l'he prophets instructed the people in spiritual truth anti moral duty. 'I'hey rebuked idolatry. '!'hey denounced all injustice and oppression. They wametl of coming judgments. They testified beforehand of the coming of the Messiah, and of the ultimate salvation of the world through him. The larger number of the g:cat prophets were sen~ to the kingdom of Judah, and yet ~?me of ~he most distinguished of them lo.bonred in the northern kingdom, as e.g. EbJah, Ehsha, .Amos, and Hosea himself. '!'he Lord gave his Word to the prophets in a variety of ways. Sometimes by an andible voice, n~ to Snmuel; more freqnently, by writing the mes8~~l' in burnin~  'l'HE BOOK OF HOSEA. [ell, XII. 1-U,