CHAP. X. 2 +Their heart is d divided; now shall Reproofs of Israel's manifold sins, denunciations of terrible judg- they be found faulty: he shall break
ments, and exhortations to repentance, 1-15. SRAEL is
down their altars, he shall spoil their im
an empty vine, he bring-ages.
eth forth fruit unto himself: caccord
ing to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly † images.
3 For now they shall say, 'We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?
4 They have spoken words, & swearing
Or, He hath divided their heart. Is. 44:18. 2 Thes. 2: 11,12.
d 7:8. 1 Kings 18:21. Zeph. 1:5. Matt. 6:24. Luke 16:13. Jam. 1:8. 4:4.
Rev. 3:15,16.
1 John 2:15.
e 5-8. 8:5,6. Jer. 43:13. Mic.
5:13. Zech. 13:2.
Heb. behead.
f 7,15. 3:4. 11:5. Gen. 49:10. Mic. 4:9. John 19:15.
g 6:7. 2 Kings 17:3,4. Ez. 17: 13-19. Rom. 1:31. 2 Tim. 3:3.
and of each other; and thus disturbing and defiling even the house of the Lord. Alas! many parts of the church are as corrupted, in these and other respects, as Benjamin was in the days of Gibeah, and may expect similar visitations. At some times, and in some places, a people are formed by divine grace, who are peculiarly delightful to our holy God: but then a falling off commonly succeeds, and some "separate themselves to this shame," and others to that, according to the different "abominations which they have loved." Thus they go out from true believers, because they were not of them; and their glory soon vanishes and appears no more.
V. 11-17.
from the religion of pious ancestors, violate their own solemn engagements, and run into wickedness, in opposition to the convictions of their consciences, and the strivings of God's Spirit with them, have even less reason for joy than any other sinners; for to them belongs the deepest condemnation.--Abundance received as the reward of serving Mammor, or abused in making provision for men's lusts, will end either in most ruinous prosperity, or most distressing calamities.
They, whose pampered bodies are rendered unclean by unlawful indulgences, may perhaps be reduced to the necessity of eating the most unclean and unwholesome food, through the extremity of indigence. (Note, Luke 15:13-16. Р. О. 11-16.)-But no famine is so dreadful as that of the soul: awful is the case of those who can perform no acceptable service to the Lord, but must either utterly neglect him, or render him such worship as he abhors: yet in this case we should all have been, had not the Son of God, by his incarnation, atonement, and intercession, opened us a door of access and acceptance through faith in his name.--Men may now despise the solemn days and ordinances of God, and disrelish every feast which fails to gratify their love of jovial mirth, and sensual Indulgence; but the utter want of every means of grace and hope of mercy, will make them know their value: and what will they then do? (Note, Am . 8:11-14.) Thus multitudes hurry on to destruction: their bodies are gathered into the grave; their souls sink into hopeless misery; and their "pleasant places for their silver," as well as their commodious habita-pect nothing but woe for themselves and their
tions, if not covered with thorns and nettles, yet pass into the hands of those, who neither know nor care what is become of them. (Notes, Ps. 39:6. 49:10,16,17. Ec . 2:18--23. Luke 12 : 15-21 , vr . 20,21. 16:27–31.) But the ministers of God, who foresee, and openly declare, these approaching days of visitation and recompense, must expect to be reviled as wild
How soon could our God insensibly waste the most populous nations! Nay, how often does he thus decrease them! and what awful instances of this has our eventful age exhibited! What an alloy it is to our comfort in our beloved children, to reflect for what purposes they they may possibly be brought up and reserved! "This is a sore vanity:" but the best remedy of it is submission, and confidence in God, and a conscientious performance of our duty: especially in training up our families in the fear of God, and in seeking for them, as well as ourselves, "first the kingdom of God and his righteousness;" and setting them a good example. (Note, Gen. 17:17—19. Р. О. 16-22.) Surely it is far more desirable to be written childless, than to bring up children in the service of sin and Satan! And they, who provoke God to depart from them, can reasonably ex
offspring, here and hereafter. The Lord will drive impenitent and hypocritical professors of Christianity with abhorrence out of his house, and "love them no more:" his wrath dries up the root and withers the fruit of all our comforts: and the poor scattered Jews, whom God cast off because they did not hearken to him, and whom he has condemned to be "wander
enthusiasts, or as weak and foolish inen: forers among the nations," are a daily warning
God leaves sinners under delusion, because of the greatness of their crimes and their enmity agaiust him. But if worldly men deem the servants of God fools and madmen; these know and can prove them and their flattering teachers to be so. Happy are they, that have watchmen placed over them, who walk with God, seek his glory, do his work, and enjoy his assistance and blessing: many such there have been, and are; may "the Lord of the harvest" increase their numbers and prosper their labors! But more have been found crafty and selfish, ensnaring men in error and iniquity, and misleading them into the ways of ruin for their own mercenary ends; opposing, hindering, reviling, and persecuting the true servants of God; increasing men's hatred of him,
to us to beware, lest we neglect or abuse his gospel: for how then could we escape a similar, or even a far more terrible condemnation? ( Note , Ps . 59:11—13, v. 11.)
NOTES.
CHAP. X. V. 1-3. Israel had often been compared to a vine, which is valuable only for its fruit; but the nation was become "an empty vine," which brought no fruit to perfection. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . a, b.- Notes , Ps . 80:8— 13. Is . 5:1-7. Ez . 15:) They not only spent their abundance on themselves; but even their apparent good works sprang from ostentation, or other selfish motives, and not from regard to the glory and will of God. ( Notes , Matt . 6: 1-5.) In proportion as they were enriched
falsely in making a covenant: thus judg-|| sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: * the thorn
ment springeth up, as hemlock in the fur
rows of the field.
5 The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: 1 for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and * the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.
9 O Israel, thou hast sinned a from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of in iquity did not overtake them.
10 It is din my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be
6 It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall gathered against them, when they shall P receive shame, and Israel shall be asham-bind themselves in their two furrows. ed of his own counsel.
7 As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upont the water.
8 The thigh places also of Aven, "the h Deut. 29:18. Is. 5:7. 59:13- P 4:19. Is. 1:29. 44:9-11. 45:
15. Am. 5:7. 6:12. Acts 8:23. Heb. 12:15. Rev. 8:10,11.
i 8:5,6. 13:2. 1 Kings 12:2832. 2 Kings 10:29. 17:16. 2 Chr. 11:15. 13:8.
k 4:15, 5:8. Josh. 7:2.
1 Judg. 18:24. Rev. 18:11-19. * Or, Chemarim. 2 Kings 23. 5. marg. Zeph. 1:4.
m 1 Sam. 4:21,22. Acts 19:27. n 8:6. Is. 46:1,2. Jer. 43:12,13. Dan. 11:8.
5:13. 2 Kings 17:3.
16. Jer. 2:26,27,36,37. 3:24, 25. 48:13. Ez. 36:31,32,
q 11:6. Job 18:7. Is. 30:3. Jer. 7:24. Mic. 6:16.
r1 Kings 21:1, 2 Kings 1:3. s 3,15. 2 Kings 15:30. 17:4. ↑ Heb. the face of the water. Jude 13.
t 5. 4:15. 5:8.
u Deut. 9:21. 1 Kings 12:2830. 13:34. 14:16. Am. 8:14. Mic. 1:5,13.
by the produce of their good land, they multiplied altars and images; which had a goodly shew of devotion, but were an abomination to the Lord. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . c.- Notes , 8: 14. 12:10-14, v. 11.) They vainly attempted to divide their hearts between him and idols, which were his rivals; and thus they were found guilty of violating the covenant of God,
11 And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn ; hbut I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.
x 9:6. Is. 32:13. 34:13.
y 1 Kings 13:2. 2 Kings 23:15. 2 Chr. 31:1. 34:5-7.
z Is. 2:19. Luke 23:30. Rev. 6:16. 9:6.
a 9:9. Judg. 19:22-30. 20:5,13, 14.
b Judg. 20:17-48.
c Gen. 6:5. 8:21. Zeph. 3:6,7. Matt. 23-31,32.
d Deut. 28:63. Is. 1:24. Jer. 15: 6. Ez. 5:13. 16:42.
e 8:1,10. Jer. 16:16. 21:4. Ez.
16:37, 23:9,10,46,47. Mic. 4 10-13. Zech. 14:2,3. Matt. 22:7.
Or, I shall bind them for their two transgressions, or, in their two habitations.
f 4:16. Jer. 50:11.
g 2:5. 3:1. 9:1. Deut. 25.4 Rom. 16:18.
b 11:4.
Heb. the beauty of her neck 1 2 Chr. 28:5-8. Is. 28:24.
an king. The people would deeply regret the loss of their idols: but the priests , who had rejoiced in the emolument and credit which they had derived from that idolatry, would have more substantial cause for mourning, when their gains and their glory were all taken away together. For the gold of the calves would be sent to the king of Assyria, as a present, or ob
and of forfeiting all the blessings of their rela-lation out of the spoil of the conquered nation: tion to him. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . d, e.- and this would turn to the shame of the doting Notes , 1 Kings 18:21. 2 Kings 17:7-11,33-40. idolaters, who took counsel to worship dead 18:22. Matt . 6:24. Jam . 1:5-8.) By the Assyri-images which could not protect themselves, in
ans, he would certainly destroy their altars and images: and they should be left without any king to head or protect them, and be forced to confess that, because they "had not feared the LORD," no king could do any thing effectual to preserve them from ruin. A king 'cannot protect us, if God be against us.' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 8:2-4.2 Kings 15:16-30. 17:1-4.)
V. 4. The Israelites, in professing to covenant with God, or make vows to him, spake lies, and joined perjury to hypocrisy. In swearing allegiance to their princes, they concealed the most treacherous intentions; and all their civil compacts and decisions were conducted with fraud and perjury. Thus, even the administration of justice (as it should have been,) sprang up, like pestiferous hemlock in the furrows of the field; and tended to diffuse, still more widely, deceit, injustice, impiety, and misery, throughout the whole land. ( Marg . Ref . g, h.- Notes , Am . 5:7-13. 6:12-14. Mic . 3:1-4.) 'Injustice being publicly countenanc'ed encourages the same practices in private 'men's dealings: thus instead of judgment and 'fair dealing, injustice increases every where, 'as bitter and poisonous weeds grow up in a 'field, where there is no care taken to destroy 'them.' Lowth . - Hemlock .] Notes, Deut . 29:18. Heb . 12:1517.
preference to the living, true, and almighty God. ( Marg . Ref.i -m.- Notes , 8:5,6. 11:5-7. 13:1,2. 2 Kings 17:2.) -The word, rendered priests, is Chemarim : these were certain idolatrous priests, who were clothed in black, when they offered sacrifices. ( Marg . and Ref. Notes , 2 Kings 23:5. Zeph . 1:4.)
Jareb. (6) Chap . 5:13. there it probably 'means Tiglath-pilezer, unto whom Mena'hem betook himself for safety; and here it 'seems to denote Shalmaneser, who took the Israelites under his protection, by making 'them tributaries.' Lowth. (Note, 5:13,14.)
V. 7, 8. Perhaps Hosea the last king of Israel was here meant. After various revolutions, and an interregnum of some continuance, that kingdom seemed in a hopeful way of regaining tranquillity and prosperity, under his government: but these promising appearances resembled those airy bubbles, that form the foam on the top of the water; and they soon vanished and came to nothing by the slaughter of the king. ( Note , 2 Kings 17:1-6.) Then the high places of Aven, (or Beth - aven , Note, 5:8-10.) would be destroyed: and whilst thorns and thistles overgrew their desolated altars, ( Marg . Ref . u-y.- Note , 9:4-6.) the terrified worshippers would call upon the hills and mountains, to crush or cover them from impending and more tremendous vengeance. ( Notes , Is . 2:19-21. Luke 23:26-31. Rev. 6:15 -17.)
V. 5, 6. The inhabitants of Samaria would be seized with terror, when they heard that the golden calves, which had been worshipped V. 9-11. The disposition of Israel had, in at Beth-aven, or Beth-el, and Dan, were car- succeeding ages, resembled that of the Benjaried off by the invaders, or given to the Assyri-mites in the days of Gibeah. (See on Note , 9:
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, 14 Therefore $ shall a tumult arise
reap in mercy; ground: for it is till he come, and
you.
1 break up your fallow time to seek the LORD, rain righteousness upon
13 Ye have • plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty
9,10.) The men of Gibeah stood to what they had done, and the Benjamites stood by them in it: and thus Israel had always obstinately persisted in the most atrocious abominations. Though the last battle in Gibeah almost destroyed the tribe of Benjamin; yet it did not overtake and extirpate the children of iniquity: for many still remained from age to age in Israel, to copy that detestable example. ( Marg . Ref. a-c.-Notes, Gen. 6:5. 8:20-22, v. 21. Judg. 20:29-48.) The Lord had therefore formed a determined purpose to punish them, as even taking pleasure in so doing. ( Notes , Deut . 28:63.
Is . 1:21-24. Ez . 5:13.) The people of Assyria, with their allies, would gather at his call against them; when by their idolatry they had bound themselves for slavery, as the oxen are confined to labor up and down the two furrows of the field. Ephraim indeed was like a heifer, who had been taught, and loved, to tread out the corn; which was not hard labor and was attended with the liberty of eating it: that is, the Israelites loved the privilege and tem and temporal advantages of being the people of God, but they were not disposed disposed to labor or self-denial in his service.
By By milder discipline, God had attempted to train them to obedience, as the husbandman gently causes the yoke to pass upon the fair neck of the young heifer, to prepare her for the work: but, as that did not effect the purpose, he would reduce them to great hardships, like those endured by beasts of burden, or used to ride on, as horses, or asses, or camels: and even Judah and the whole house of Jacob would be be brought into bondage by the Assyrians and Chaldeans, as if they were set to plow and to break the clods; seeing they had quarrelled with the easy yoke of God's commands. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . g-i- Notes , Deut . 25:4. Matt . 11: 28-30.)
They shall bind themselves , &c. (10) Or, "when I shall bind them for their two transgressions," or, "in their two habitations." Marg . Beth-el and Dan, where the two golden calves were placed, were the "two habitations." Εν ταις δυσιν αδικιπις αυτων. Sept.
V. 12, 13. No way remained, to the Israelites and Jews, of escaping the threatened judgments, except by "sowing to themselves in righteousness." Repentance and conversion from sin, attendance on the ordinances of God, and obedience to his commandments, would be like sowing good seed, which would yield an increase for their own advantage; and in this way, though they could not merit any thing from God, they might hope and wait for his merciful acceptance, as their harvest. (Notes, 8:7,8. Ps. 126:5,6. Prov. 11:18. Ec. 11:3
* the
among thy people, t and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
15 So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: 2 in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be
cut off.
-6. Gal . 5:6-10, vv . 7,8.) But their hearts resembled fallow ground, hard and unbroken, and covered with noxious weeds: so that, un-. less they were humbled and broken for sin, and cleansed from worldly lusts and affections, they could not receive the good seed of God's word, nor bring forth the fruits of righteousness: but self-examination, watchfulness prayer, confession and mortification of sin would "break up this fallow ground," and eradicate these weeds. ( Marg . Ref . k, 1.- Notes , Jer . 4:3,4.
Matt . 13:20-23.) They had too long delayed this needful duty; and it was full time for them to seek the Lord, and his favor and help, by earnest prayer: thus they might expect, tl that he would give the increase by the influences of his Spirit, and "come and rain righteousness upon them." em." ( Marg . Ref . m, n. Notes , 6:1-3. Ps . 72:4-7.
Is . 5:5,6, 44:3-5. 45: 8.) But, on the contrary, they had long bestowed abundant pains in the practice of wickedness; as if they had plowed and sowed, in order to get a crop of iniquity: and in consequence they had eaten the fruit of their own lies, and hypocrisy, and idolatry. They trusted in their own projects and heathen alliances, and in numerous and valiant forces; but, as they had neglected God and his service, these confidences would certainly fail them. ( Marg . Ref . r. -Notes , 8:14. 2 Kings 17:1-6.)
Sow, &c. (12) Σπειρατε έαυτοις εις δικαιοσύνην . Sept. This is a literal translation. ( Note , Ps. 24:3-8.)- Way , &c. (13) Am . 8:14. Marg .
V. 14, 15. Intestine divisions and foreign invaders would soon combine to ruin Israel. All their strong holds would fall into the hands of the enemy, and their inhabitants would be treated with the same savage cruelty, with which Shalman (or Shalmaneser) bad desolated Beth-arbel, when he took it by assault, and slew indiscriminately all the wretched inhabitants. Nor could Beth-el and its idols do any thing for them better than this; for it was the source and substance of their enormous wickedness. ( Marg .
Ref . s-x.- Notes , 5,6. 13:15, 16.) And after a night of adversity, when they thought the morning of prosperity was come, under the government of Hosea, he would suddenly be cut off, and the whole people left defenceless in the hands of their enemies.'Beth-arbel was a place in Armenia, famous 'afterward for the defeat of Darius the last king of Persia, by Alexander.... The Hebrew 'reads, Because of the evil of your evil. That language expresses the greatness of any thing 'by repeating the word over again. The same 'expression is used by St.
Paul; ( Rom . 7:13.) "That sin might become exceeding sinful;" 'that is, hereby it might appear how full of evil
'our natural corruption is.' Lowth . ( Marg. Note, Rom . 7:13,14.) - In a morning . )15( בשחר The expression in the Hebrew denotes the first 'appearing of the morning. Lowth. ( Note , Is . 8:20.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Those who seek their own credit or worldly profit in religious duties, will be accounted unfruitful branches of the true Vine; for all who abide in Christ bring forth fruit to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind. Alas, in this view how empty a vine is the visible church even to this very day! How little of the genuine fruits of righteousness grow upon it! Human nature to multiply crimes, as God multiplies his favors: and fruitful fields
and a good estate, or a flourishing trade, commonly occasions the increase of avarice, pride, sensuality, and impiety. They who attempt to share their hearts between God and Mammon will surely "be found faulty," and condemned as hypocrites: for we should give the Lord the whole; and then love others for his sake, and according to his commandment; and so love him in all, and do all to his glory. ( Notes , Ex . 20:3.
Deut . 6:5.)-Every idolized dependence will soon be torn from those who fear not God: and what indeed could a king, or even a kingdom, or "all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them," do for those, who have him for their enemy?-Hypocrisy, perjury, or treachery in oaths and covenants, convert the most sacred observances into the most atrocious crimes, and corrupt the very fountain of law and justice, rendering it the source of most cruel oppression.
They, who rejoice in iniquity, prepare terror and sorrow for themselves: for all created glories are transient, and soon depart, pass into other hands, and leave those ashained who confided in them.
All earthly prosperity is but a collection of bubbles, and is soon destroyed "like the foam upon the water:" and soon will haughty sinners call upon the rocks and mountains to hide them from the face of that angry Judge, whom they now despise, when he speaks to them in the mild language of a merciful Savior.-In every age, even in the visible church, we meet with those who copy and emulate the crimes and infamy of the most atrocious sinners of ancient times: nor can any judgments s on earth so extirpate "the children of iniquity," that none shall be found who do evil and stand to it.
But the Lord will punish all such; and their sins will form those chains, in which they shall be bound, and delivered up into the hands of their enemies.Those who love the privileges of the gospel alone, or the temporal advantages of a religious profession, and do not love to draw in the yoke of evangelical obedience, and will not be induced to it by fatherly corrections, must expect to meet with severe treatment: and such as refuse the liberty of God's service, must fall into the drudgery and oppression of Satan and their own lusts.
However men may deceive themselves, it is most certain, that "accordingly as a man sows, so also shall he reap:"
and our "sowing unto righteousness" will abound to our own account, and we shall "reap in mercy." Men should then be exhorted to "break up the fallow-ground" of their hearts, that they inay be prepared to receive the seed of God's word, and to give it root and nourishment, that it may produce an abundant increase. It is time, that sinners entered upon
this: for none can tell how soon the seed-time may be lost, and the hopes of the harvest gone, for ever: and though the Lord alone can "come and rain righteousness upon us:" yet it is our duty to use all means, in spiritual as well as in natural things. As for those, who "plow wickedness and reap iniquity," ," in their unjust gains or forbidden pleasures pleasures; they will soon "eat of the fruit of their own ways, and be filled with
their own devices." Nor can their confidence
in their own abilities, or in the multitude of the mighty or the renowned who are of their mind, and who patronise and encourage them, pro- ainst the wrath of God. Alas! tect them against what exquisite miseries do men's sins bring upon them, even in this world! Are nations rendered a scene of tumult and bloodshed? Are strong-holds spoiled, and women and children murdered? Are kings cut off, and their sub- jects enslaved? Sin alone has done all this mis- chief, and these are but a small specimen of its dreadful triumphs. Let us then with hum- ble, grateful faith, look to "the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."
NOTES.