John Calvin Commentary Hosea 12:10

"I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes." — Hosea 12:10 (ASV)

The Prophet amplifies the sin of the people for having always obstinately opposed God, so that they were without any pretext of ignorance. For we know that people evade God’s dreadful judgment as long as they can plead either ignorance or thoughtlessness. The Prophet denies that the people had fallen through a lack of information, for they had been often, indeed, continually warned by the Prophets.

It then appears that this people had become, as it were, willfully rebellious against God, for they had always despised the Prophets, not once or twice, but when the Lord sent them in succession. I have spoken, He says, upon my prophets, or, by my Prophets (for על, ol, is variously interpreted): ‘I have spoken upon my Prophets,’ that is, I have deposited with them the doctrine that should have restored you to the right way. And not only that, but I have multiplied visions; I have not tried to gather you in only one way, but I have accumulated many visions. And then He says, In the hand of Prophets I have placed similitudes; that is, I have endeavored in every way possible to restore you to a sound mind. For God speaks in human ways.

He could indeed, if He chose, accomplish this by the secret movement of His Spirit. But it is enough to take away every excuse from people for alleging that they do not obey the word, and do not offer themselves to God as submissive and teachable, when He by His Prophets exhorts them to repentance.

This then is a noteworthy aggravation of their sin, when God remonstrates and says that He had uselessly spent all His efforts to gather the dispersed Israel, though He had constantly employed the labors of His Prophets.

But this reproach can also be applied to us today; indeed, whatever the Prophet has said up to this point may justly be turned against us. For we see how the world hardens itself against all warnings, and we also see how long the Lord suspends His judgments and tolerates those who scoff at His forbearance.

The same depravity that the Prophet describes here rages now in the world. Besides, God has not only redeemed us from Egypt, but from the lowest hell. We know that we have been redeemed by Christ for this end: that we may be wholly devoted to God. For Christ died and rose again for this purpose: that He might be the Lord of the living and of the dead.

But we see how great the perverseness of people is, and how they grow unrestrained against God with impunity. Who among us remembers that they are no longer their own, because they have been purchased by the blood of Christ? Few think of this.

And not only should this one true and perpetual redemption be kept in mind by us, for the Lord again redeemed us when we were sunk in the gulf of Popery. Daily also He renews the same kindness towards us; and yet we are so forgetful that often the grace of God is not remembered by us.

We now see how necessary this doctrine is, even for our age.

Besides, God, as I have already said, does not cease daily to stimulate and urge us. He multiplies prophecies and similitudes; that is, He in various ways accommodates Himself to us, for by similitudes He means all forms of teaching.

And doubtless we see that God in a manner transforms Himself in His word, for He does not speak according to His own majesty, but as He sees to be suitable to our capacities and weakness. For the Scriptures set before us various representations, which show to us the face of God.

Since God then thus accommodates Himself to our crudeness, how great is our ingratitude when no fruit follows?

Let us then remember that the Prophet so reproved the people of his age, that he also speaks to us today.