CHAP. IV. V-3. Hosea is here supposed, by expositors in general, to address the kingdom of Israel exclusively; and perhaps he spake immediately to those of the ten tribes, VOL. IV.
in the imght, and I will destroy - thy || and they set their heart on their ini
mother.
quity.
6 My people are destroyed for 9 And there shall be, like people, like lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, 1 will also forget thy children:
priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. 10 For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase, because they have
7 As they were increased, so they sin-left off to take heed to the Lord. ned against me: " therefore will I change their glory into shame.
8 They eat up the sin of my people;
q Zech. 11:8,9,15-17. Mal. 2:1-3,9. Matt. 21:41-45. Mark 12:8,9. Luke 20:16-18. r 8:14. 13:6. 2 Kings 17:16- 20. Ps. 119:61,139. Is. 17:10. Matt. 15:3-6.
$ 1:6. Sam. 2:28-36. 3:12- 15.
t 10. 5:1. 6:9. 13:6,14. Ezra 9:7.
u 1 Sam. 2:30. Jer. 2:26,27. Mal. 2.9. Phil. 3:19.
x Lev. 6:26. 7:6,7.
These are figurative expressions denoting the entire destruction or dispersion of all the people. (Marg. Ref . g, h.-Notes, Is . 19:5-10. Jer. 4:19-27. Zeph . 1:2,3.)
V. 4, 5. "Yet no man contendeth; and no 'man reproveth." This is a natural rendering, 'and gives a very usual sense to the Hebrew 'future.' Bp.Newcombe . While wickedness of all kinds was openly committed; there was no one, either magistrate, or priest, or prophet, who protested against it, or steadily opposed it.According to our version, the words imply, that the case was desperate; all were too wicked to be employed as reprovers, or too proud and obstinate to endure reproof.
Nay, they were ready to turn against their reprovers and destroy them, even when authorized by God himself; being of the spirit of Korah and his company, when they strove against "Aaron the priest of the LORD;" or like Joash king of Judah, who stoned "Zechariah the priest ," the son of his benefactor Jehoiada, when he reproved him for his sins. ( Marg . Ref . i, k.Notes, Num. 16:8-11,35. Deut . 17:8-13. 2 Chr . 24:17-22 .
Ps . 106:16-18.)-Some object to this interpretation, because it could not be a crime to contend with idolatrous priests: but the conduct of Israel towards the prophets of God, and others who reproved them, might resemble that of such as had contended with his priests.
They would therefore fall in the approaching day of vengeance, or when they thought themselves most secure; and the ruin of their false prophets would be like that of those, who are surprised with calamity "in the night," when the terror and distress are more affecting than in the day-time: yea, the Lord would "slay the mother ," as well as the chil dren; the whole constitution of the church and nation, as well as iudividual Israelites, or Samaria the capital of Israel. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . 1, 1, m.) 'If thou fallest in the day, the proph'ets shall not be long after thee; they shall fall 'in the night: and I will destroy the very church 'and kingdom, whereto thou appertainest.' Bp. Hail.
11 Whoredom and wine and new wine d take away the heart.
[Practical Observations.]
12 T My people ask counsel at their
Heb. lift up their soul to, &c.
Ps. 24:4. 25:1.
y 1 Sam. 2:29. Is. 56:11. Mic. 3:11. Mal. 1:10. Rom. 16:18. Tit. 1:11. 2 Pet. 2:3.
z Is. 9:14-16. 24:2. Jer. 5:31. 8:10-12. 23:11,12. Ez. 22:26 -31. Matt. 15:14.
Heb. visit upon. 1:4. marg. Heb. cause to return. Ps. 109:17,18. Prov. 5:22. Is. 3: 10,11. Zech. 1:6.
a Lev. 26:26. Prov. 13:25. Is.
65:13-16. Mic. 6:14. Hag. 1:6. Mal. 2:1-3.
V. 6. The professed worshippers of JEHOVAH were perishing, in the most entire ignorance of true religion: ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . n. -Notes , 1-3. Prov . 19:2. Acts 17:22-25.) and this was in great measure the fault of the priests and teachers, who utterly neglected their duty, and indeed were incapable of performing it. The whole company of priests seem to be here addressed, as one person: as they had despised and rejected knowledge, and wilfully forgotten the word of God; therefore God would reject them and take no care of their posterity. ( Marg . Ref . p-s. See on Note , Deut . 33:10.
Notes , Is . 28:7,8. 56:9-12. Mal . 2:4-9. Matt . 15:12-14. 23:13-23. Luke 11:52. John 8:54-59, v. 55. 9:39-41.16:1-3.)— This could not be exclusively addressed to the priests of the golden calves, and other priests in in Israel, whom God had never owned as his priests, and therefore could not reject: but it must, in part at least, be spoken of the family of Aaron, whom he had appointed to the priesthood, but would at length reject for their ignorance and wickedness. Some of these might reside in Israel; but most of them were in Judah, which must therefore be here included.
V. 7-11. In proportion as the priests increased in numbers and prosperity, they grew more and more wicked: the Lord would therefore render the honor, which had been conferred on them, an occasion of their deeper disgrace; by disgrace; by ex by exposing their crimes, and inflicting ignominious punishment upon them. ( Marg . Ref . t, u.- Notes , 13:5-8.
Mal . 2:4-9.) They were so far from attempting to reform the people, that they were well pleased to have the sin-offerings multiplied: for they feasted on the flesh, and had many perquisites from them; and they therefore delighted in the iniquity of the people, as increasing their incomes. 'They live upon the sin-offerings of 'the people; and are so far from restraining 'them, that they take delight in seeing them 'commit iniquity; because the more they sin, 'the greater is the number of the sin-offerings, 'which are the priests' portion.' Lowth . ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . x, y.) -Thus absolutions, indulgences, and dispensations have long en'selves in a presumptuous manner against the have prosecuted such offenders, as could af'injunctions of the priest. ( Deut . 17:12.)' Lowth . ford to pay fines and fees, apparently for no
Marg .
Strive with the priest . (4) 'This seems to be a 'proverbial expression, to denote a stubborn 'and incorrigible temper: for it was a capital
'offence by the law, for any to behave them-riched the Romish clergy; and spiritual courts
stocks, and their staff declareth unto them. people that doth not understand shall fall For the spirit of whoredoms hath caused 15 Though thou, Israel, play the har them to err, and they have gone a whor-lot, yet let not Judah offend; and come ing from under their God.
13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit waoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.
14 *I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the
f 5:4. Is. 44:18-20. Mic. 2:11.
2 Thes. 2:9-11.
g 9:1. Lev. 17:7. 20:5. Num. 15:39. Deut. 31:16. 2 Chr. 21.13. Ps. 73:27. Jer. 3:1-3. Ez. 16: 23:
h Is. 1:29. 57:7. Jer. 3:6,13. Ez. 6:13. 16:16,25, 20:28,29. i 2 Sam. 12:10-12. Job 31:9,10.
Am. 7:17. Rom. 1:23-23. * Or, Shall I not, &c.
k 17. Is. 1:5. Heb. 12:8. 11 Kings 14:23,24. 15:12. 2 Kings 23:7.
m 1,6, 14:9. Prov. 28-5. Is. 41: 18-20. 56:11. Dan. 12:10. John 8:43. Rom. 3.11. Eph.
4:13.
other reason; and many such things have been, and are, perpetrated by the professed ministers of religion!-As these priests were the patterns of the people in their crimes, they would be involved with them in punishment, without distinction. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . z. -Notes , 1 Sarл . 2:17-36.4: Is . 9:13-17. 24: 1-12, v. 2. Ez. 22:26-30.) At length they would be reduced to pinching famine and unsatisfied hunger; their multiplying of wives and concubines, (contrary to the original law
not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, The Lord liveth.
16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
17 Ephraim is joined to idols: * let him alone.
18 Their drink is sour: they have 2 committed whoredom continually: a her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.
† Or, be punished.
n 12. Jer. 3:6-10. Ez. 23:4 -8.
o 11:12. 2 Kings 17:18,19. Jer. 3:10,11. Luke 12:47,48. Eph. 5:11.
p 9:15. 12:11. Am. 4:4. 5:5.
q 5:8. 10:5,8. 1 Kings 12:28,29. r Is. 48:1. Jer. 5:2. Ez. 20:39. Am. 6:10. 8:14. Zeph. 1:5,6. s 11:7. 1 Sam. 15:11. Jer. 3: 6,8,11. 5:6. 7:24. 8:5. 14:7. Zech. 7:11. marg.
daughters and wives to disgrace and distress them, by committing whoredom and adultery: nor would he inflict on them any immediate judgment for these crimes; which would eventually embolden them to proceed, and others to imitate them, and so to become the scourges of their idolatrous fathers and husbands. And indeed this would be the natural consequence of their crimes: for themselves, (the original is masculine,) though fathers and husbands, separated from their families, to as
of marriage,) and their other scandalous forni-sociate with abandoned harlots, even with
cations, and connivance at those of the people, would prevent the increase of their families; and seeing they had " left off to take heed to the LORD," manifold evils would come upon them. (Marg. Ref . a-d.- Notes , Ez . 4:9-17. Mic . 6:10-13. Luke 21:34-36.) — This shews, that the priests of Aaron's family were chiefly intended; for the priests of the calves, and those of Baal, had not, at any time, "taken heed to the LORD."-Indeed the whoredom and intemperance, both of priests and people, deprived them of understanding and judgment, and rendered their hearts and consciences unfeeling, and utterly unfit for any thing good. The people's sins deserved to be punished with such priests; and such priests have 'helped to make the people thus wicked.' Bp . Hall.
V. 12-14. The professed worshippers of JEHOVAH were so infatuated by their sensual indulgences and idolatrous practices, that they preferred consulting the wood of their images, to inquiring of God by his word, his prophets, or the high priest; and they even divined by means of "their staves," in some superstitious manner; being utterly given up to idols, and alienated from God. ( Marg . Ref.e -g. -Notes , Is . 44:12-20. Jer. 10:1-8. Ez . 21:19-22. Hab . 2:18,19.)-'Because they take away God's 'honor, and give it to idols: therefore he will give them up to their lusts, that they shall dishonor their own bodies. (Rom. 1:28.)" They therefore preferred the mountains and groves, where the idols were worshipped, to his temple; because they afforded an agreeable shade, and secret recesses for their abominable impurities. ( Marg . Ref . h.- Notes , Is . 57:3-8. Ez . 20:28,29.) To punish these enormities, the Lord determined to leave their
such as were initiated , or consecrated, to be priestesses of their abominable idols, and prostitutes to their worshippers. Thus they set their wives and daughters an example of the vilest licentiousness, even in religion; and did what they could to corrupt their principles and morals! And a people, which had become thus besotted and infatuated, notwithstanding all their religious advantages, could not long escape destruction. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . i-m.- Notes , 1-6. Deut . 23:17,18. 1 Kings 14:22-24. 2 Kings 23:7. Rom . 1:2132.)-Many of the same charges were brought by the prophets against Judah, though Israel is here supposed to be principally intended; as it may be seen by consulting the Marg . Ref .
V. 15. Here Israel and Judah are separately addressed. Though Israel was given up to idolatry and iniquity, "let not Judah thus offend;" for they yet had many advantages; they still retained among them the worship of God, according to his law; and from them the Messiah was to arise. But, if the Jews meant to avoid the crimes and ruin of Israel, let them not come near the places where idolatry was practised. Gilgal had been in many instances peculiarly distinguished; but it was become notorious for idolatry. ( Notes , 9:15-17. 12:10, 11. Josh . 5:9,10. 10:7.
Am . 4:4,5. 5:4-6.) Beth aven was the same as Beth-el; it had been "the house of God," but it was at that time "the house of vanity," for so Beth - aven signifies. ( Notes , 5:8-10. 10:5-8. 1 Kings 12:26 -33.) Neither let them dare to swear by the name of JEHOVAH while worshipping their idols, for he abhorred such a coalition; or before the calves, as if these had represented Lim. ( Marg . Ref . r. -Notes , Jer. 7:8-11. Ez. 0:39. 23:39. Am. 8:11-14, v. 14. Zeph . 1:4,5.
19 The wind hath bound her up in her || wings and they shall be ashamed because
b Jer. 4:11,12. 51:1. Zech. 5:9-11.
Matt . 6:24. 2 Cor . 6:14-18.)-'God complain- 'eth that Judah is infected, and willeth them 'to return in time.'
of their sacrifices.
c 10:6. Is 1:29. 42-17. Jer. 2:26,27,36,37, 3:24,25. 17:13.
thyself:" and surely a beam in our own eye will incapacitate us for taking a mote from our brother's eye. We must not, however, be
V. 16-19. Israel was become utterly in- discouraged by lamented imperfections from
tractable, and obstinate in rebellion; like a refractory heifer, which hangs back and will not draw in the yoke. ( Marg . Ref . s.-Notes, 11:5 -7, v. 7. Jer. 3:6-11.) The Lord therefore purposed to disperse them throughout the Assyrian empire, where they would be as much exposed to injury and violence, as a single deserted lamb in a large wilderness is to the wild beasts. Ephraim, or the kingdom of Israel, was incurably devoted to idols; and the people should no more be molested by the unwelcome warnings of prophets, or other means of reformation, but be let alone to ripen for destruction. ( Marg . Ref . u, x.- Notes , 4,5. Ps . 81:11,12. Matt . 15:12-14.) "Не," "Ephraim, "is gone after their wine." (18) He is gone 'after the wine or banquets of idols.' Bp.
so good a work, provided we be not conscious of any allowed wickedness. (Note, Matt. 7:3 -5. Р. О. 1-6.) - But alas! what multitudes, even in this enlightened land, are perishing for lack of the knowledge of God, of his law, his gospel, and of their own state, interest, and duty!-Ignorance can be the parent of superstition or enthusiasm alone; without divine illumination the heart cannot be good, and the ministry of the word is the grand means of that illumination. When there herefore, the professed teachers of Christianity "reject knowledge," and forget the word of God, to pursue other studies, pleasures, or interests, the Lord will reject them, and pour contempt on their families also. The wealth, and temporal Bp . grandeur, of the clergy, has commonly proved Newcombe. Or, He is loathsome through an inlet to their increasing iniquity; and their drunkenness. The people were continually glory in this sense has indeed proved their
given up to whoredom, corporal and spiritual: their rulers were wholly corrupted, and shewed evidently their love of bribes, even shamelessly deman demanding them from the people, as the price of deciding deciding in their favor. ( Marg . Ref . a.- Notes , Prov . 30:15,16. Ez . 22:12,13. Mic . 3:8-12. 7:1-4. Matt. 26:14-16.) Therefore they would be hurried into captivity, as by a furious irresistible tempest; and then they would be ashamed of depending on their idolatrous or hypocritical sacrifices. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . y, z. b, c.- Notes , 13:15,16. Jer . 2: 33-37, 4:11-13. 51:2.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-11.
shame. At all times this sacred function is a reproach to him , who is a scandal to it ; and his honorable office renders him doubly contemptible. Too many of the clergy, even in our land, regard nothing compared with the emoluments of their office; they are not grieved at the sins of their people, provided they regularly pay their dues; and the increase of their livings pleases them more, than the spiritual good of their flocks. Thus they, as it were, feast on the sins of the people; and leave them unmolested in their evil courses, that they may have less trouble in collecting their dues.
For priest and people, being both of the same nature, are liable to commit the same crimes, and incur the same condemnation; except as the same offences are more heinous, and will be more severely punished, in the former than in the latter. - Abused wealth leads to poverty, and avarice to disgrace and ruin: and when the clergy leave off to take heed to the Lord, no wonder they are left by him to disgrace themselves by the most scandalous excesses.
Sensual lusts stupify the understanding, harden the heart, and sear the conscience: how then can they, who indulge in them, be fitted for the weighty and holy work of the ministry, or indeed for any thing important and useful? ( P. O. Lev . 10:1-11. )
The Lord has a controversy with each of us on account of our sins; and if he contend, either in judgment or in battle, he will overcome. It is therefore our interest, as well as duty, to submit and humble ourselves before him. ( P. O. Job 9:1-21.)-Dreadful is the case of that land, which, being favored with the sacred oracles, yet remains destitute of truth, justice, mercy, and the knowledge and fear of God, and abounds in gross immoralities.
We hope this is not the case with our country; yet we cannot but perceive, that many of these reproofs are too applicable to our national character: our distempered constitution (as to religion and morality,) breaks out most grievously, by perjuries, profaneness, falsehood, murders, thefts, and shameful adul-lusions, and left to lead others into the same teries and licentiousness: and the additional judicial infatuation.
Thus they train up their prevalence of avowed infidelity and irreligion families, by example, influence, and sophistry, renders the nation as one continued leprosy; in error and impiety, which always tend to
V. 12-19.
Those who "like not to retain God in their knowledge," are often given up to strong de
except as the Lord has yet reserved to himself a despised remnant of another character. He, however, has doubtless a controversy with the inhabitants of this favored land; and what mourning, and desolating judgments, he may see good to bring upon us, we cannot tell. Yet there is encouragement for us to protest and strive against sin, and to reprove transgressors: and though many prove refractory and incorrigible, and revile those who speak to them by the authority of God, thus exposing themselves to swift and sudden destruction, with their flattering teachers and the societies to which they belong, others are found more teachable.But before we venture to reprove others, it behoves us to inquire, whether the reproved ing down the heavy load of his vengeance persons may not retort on us, "Physician heall upon themselves: and when they have pro716]
vice and immorality. But how can they, who are unfaithful and disobedient to God, expect their wives and children to be faithful and obedient to them? Or how can they expect others to maintain their chastity, while notoriously guilty of lewdness in their own conduct? In this way men prepare scourges for themselves, and vice and misery are diffused through whole cities and communities. Let us then watch against all approaches to those evils, which have gradually led to greater impiety; and keep our religious worship wholly free from all mixture of superstition, and sensual indulgence. While sinners obstinately reject the easy yoke of Christ, they are bring