The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 456

Ver. 8.-God and his reformed pwple. "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found." Some think that this is a dialogistic parallel as follows: " Ephr1dm : What have I further to do with idols? God: I have answered and will regard him. Ephraim: I am like a green cypress. God: From me is thy fruit found." But I am disposed to regard, with Delitzsch and others, that God, and not Ephraim, is representing himself as the" green fir tree." I ob8erve, therefore-- I. THAT GoD FORESEES THE ORANGE IN ms REFORMED PEOPLE. "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?" 1. Marie the description of the change. Before the period of their conversion comes, he hears them say," What have I to do any more with idols?" What have I to do with them~ (1) They are beneath me. I am ashamed of them. "What fruit had ye in tho11e things whereof ye are now ashamed?" (2) They are a curse to me. Idols degrade, deceive, damn. Omniscience foresees all the work..iDgs of the penitent soul 2. Mark Goa's recognition of the change. "I have heard him, and observed him." He is cognizant of all the reflections, remorses, resolu- tions, of the repentant soul. II. THAT GoD PROVIDES BLESSINGS FOB ms REFORMED PEOPLE. 1. Protection. "I am like a green fir tree." Those trees in Eastern countries were exceedingly large and thick, affording shelter from sun and storms and showers. 2. Support. '.' From me i:; thy fruit found." God is to his people the source of all relief and good, both for t!,is life and the life to come. CoNCLUBION. Sinner, repent and be converted. Say, "What have I to do any more with idols?" Renounce the old. The Almighty Father is ready to receive and bless you.-D. T. Ver. 9.-God's wa,y,. "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? pru- tleut, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them : but the transgressors shall fall therein." God has his ways, his methods of action. He proceeds on certain principles in all his operations, both in the realm of rnatter and of mind. '!'he Infinite has a way of doing things. . :. Hrs WAYS ABE 'IO BE STUDIED. "Who is wise, and be shall understand these tl,ir,gs? prudent. and he shall know them?" It i8 one thing to know the works of a u,an, arid another thing to know his ways, his methods of action. Ho only knows a u,ao wl.u undcrntands his way of doing things. God's ways are the highest subjects  'l'HE BOOK OF I:lOSEA,