The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 419

II. THE flOLE BUFFIOIENoY OF Gon AS A MI!lRTY SAVIOUR, 1. He hae wledotn to de¥ise e.ppropriate _means of deliverance. Many an instance in ll!rael's history might have been quoted, 1n order to produce this conviction. And we, e.a Obrietiaus have tho one suprer.ne evidence of God's infinite wisdom in the provision of epirituo.l a~d eternal salva.twn m the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is tho wisdom ae well ae tho power of God. 2. The heavenly King has the disposition to deliver. Salvation ie not only his prerogative ; it is his delight. Mercy and compassion animate him in his t:estm.e~t of _the children of men. '.' God so loved the world," etc. There ie no pity hke D!l"rne/1ty. 3. For an all-sufficient authority and efficacious power to resoue man from sm an death we must look above. The Eternal is "mighty to save." And in appointing his Son to be the Saviour, he has laid help upon One who is mighty- " So strong to deliver, So good to redeem, The weakest believer Tha.t hangs upon him." T. Ver. 5.-Remembrance in the wilderness. No more signal instance of Divine inter- position is recorded, even in the wonderful history of Israel, than the care and guidance and protection vouchsafed to the chosen people in their desert-wanderings. No wonder that the inspired prophets should again and again refer to this marvellous record of Divine regard, remembrance, aud assistance. L 'l'HE OOCASION OF DrvlNE BEMl!:IIUIBANOE. 1. To Israel and to humanity (for of the race at large was the chosen people a type) God reveals himself when help is sorely needed. ln the wilderness the people hungered ; they thirsted ; they were in danger from many perils of the way ; they were opposed and harassed by many foes ; they were beset by frequent perplexities; they were cast down by many fears. Similarly, this race of mankind we.s without any supply for its sorest needs, without any deliverance from direst dangers and mightiest and most malignant foes, when the eternal Father "remembered us in our low estate." 2. It was an occasion when all other resource and hope were vain. In this respect the tribes in the desert were representative of humanity. "I looked, and there was no helper." IL 'l'BE FRUITS OF DIVINE BEMEMBBAN0E. 1. The thoughtfulness of God supplies his people's wants. Israel's hnnger was met by manna; Israel's thirst by water from the rock, etc. So "the Lord hath been mindful of us." Every spiritual want is sup- plied in the gospel, where is living water, heavenly bread, etc. 2. Adversaries are' overcome by the interposition of the Most High. He who vanquished Israel's foes led captivity captive, and secured salvation for all who trust in him. 3. Difficulties are removed by Divine intervention. 4. Courage and hope are inspired in the breasts of the timid and downcast. 5. Gratitude, piety, and devotion are enkindled in the souls of those who are set free and rescued by the interposition of a merciful and mighty Saviour. A.PPLIC.ATION. The gracious knowledge and remembrance of God, leading to merciful interposition on our behalf, should incite us to think upon and to remember him "who led bis people through the wilderness; for hie mercy endureth for ever."-T. Ver. 6.-Forgetting God. The conduct of Israel in the wilderness was an anticipa- tion and prediction of their national history generally. The parallelism suggested itself to the minds of the prophets, who evidently referred to the books of Moses to find there a description and a censure of their own contemporaries. I. THE CAUSE OF FORGETFULNESS OF Gon. 1. Generally speaking, this sin arises from absorption in earthly pursuits and pleasures. 2. Particularly it may be learned from this passage-and the lesson is enforced by daily observation-that prosperity is the occasion of irreligion. The more this world's good is sought and prized, the more it often proves to be the case that the great Giver of all good is forgotten. II. THE SIN AND GUILT OF FORGETTING Gon. 1. This appears from human dependfflca upon the Maker and Ruler of all 2, And from the conse9-uent indebtedness of the creature to the Creator. To him men owe all they have, and 1t is the basest ingratitude to forget the one Divine Benefactor. 3. And from their respoosibility to God. Life has to be accounted for, at last, before him who gave it as a sacred trust, If the trust has been abused, such abuse is sin, and sin of the deepest dye. OR, XUI. 1-16.] THE BOOK OF HOSEA. 421