Albert Barnes Commentary


Albert Barnes Commentary
"And now will I uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of my hand." — Hosea 2:10 (ASV)
Her lewdness - The word originally means “folly,” and so “foulness.” For sin is the only real folly, as holiness is the only true wisdom. But the folly of sin is veiled amidst outward prosperity: people think themselves wise, honorable, and in good repute, and are so regarded, becoming centers of attraction and leaders of society as long as they prosper. As it is said, so long as thou doest well unto thyself, men will speak of thee (Psalms 49:18).
But as soon as God withdraws those outward gifts, the mask drops off. People, no longer dazzled, then despise the sinner while they continue to hug the sin. God says, I will discover, as He had said just before that His gifts had been given to cover her. He would then lay her bare, outwardly and inwardly—her folly, foulness, wickedness, and her outward shame—and this in the sight of her lovers, that is, of those whom she had chosen instead of God: her idols, the heavenly bodies, the false gods, and real devils.
Satan must jeer at the wretched folly of the souls whom he deceives.
And none shall deliver her out of My hand - Neither rebel spirits nor rebel people. The evil spirits would prolong the prosperity of the wicked so that they might sin more deeply and not repent (as they see people do amidst God’s chastisements), and thus incur deeper damnation.