John Calvin Commentary Hosea 2:17

"For I will take away the names of the Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be mentioned by their name." — Hosea 2:17 (ASV)

In this verse the Prophet more clearly unfolds what he said before: that there would be a new mind in the people, so that they would worship God purely, even though they were previously entangled in their superstitions. The meaning then is that religion will then return to its true state, for the names of Baalim will cease.

We have already stated from where this name had arisen. Not even the pagans wished to thrust the only true God from His celestial throne by forming many gods for themselves; but while they acknowledged a Supreme Being, they wished to have patrons, whom they employed in conciliating His favor and goodwill.

That this was, for the most part, the common doctrine can be easily learned from Plato. The Jews also, no doubt, thought of becoming wise by following the common judgment of others; thus, they had their Baalim. But though they called their patrons Baalim, they nevertheless also gave this name to God: “Let us worship Baalim.” The Papists do the same; when they enter their temples, they immediately turn to the image of Mary or of some saint, and dare not come to God.

At the same time, they worship God—that is, they pretend to worship God—and they call superstition God’s worship. So it was among the Israelites. Though the majesty of the Supreme God was not denied, yet what happened is what the Papists also say: “That Christ is not distinguished from His Apostles.” All things among them were mixed together and confused.

He therefore says, I will take away Baalim from her mouth, and she will no more remember the name of Baalim. This means, “They will be content with the profession of pure faith and will celebrate the name of the only true God; they will no more mix their own interpretations with the doctrine of the law, and thus corrupt the pure and holy worship of God.” We now understand the meaning of the Prophet.

Now we learn from this passage that the Church cannot be rightly reformed unless it is trained to obedience by the frequent disciplines of God, for the Lord thereby creates a new people for Himself. We see today what great dullness possesses the minds of those who have not been well prepared for the worship of God.

They indeed laugh at the superstitions of the Papacy, but at the same time, they are a type of Cyclops; we see that there is nothing but barbarous ignorance in their hearts. The Prophet then says, not in vain, that the state of religion would then be right when the Lord had wholly subdued His people.

Thus, “in that day,” which refers to the heavy punishment God would inflict on the Israelites—In that day, then, says the Lord, you will no more call Me Baal, but you will call Me Husband. How so? Because I will take away the names of Baalim from your mouth; that is, I will make the people cast away their own devices and be content with the pure doctrine of My law.

We should also remember that a confession of faith is here commended by the Prophet. It is undoubtedly the fruit of true repentance when we testify with our mouth and tongue that the only true God is our God, and when we are not ashamed to confess His name before the world, even though it may rage furiously against us.

These words further remind us that we cannot be too diligent and careful in cleansing ourselves completely from all kinds of pollutions. For as long as any remnants of superstition continue among us, they will always entangle us, and thus we will stumble, or at least not run as swiftly as we should.

Since, then, whatever people retain of their own corrupt devices is a hindrance to them in obtaining direct access to God, it is fitting for us to strive so that the names of Baalim should cease and be abolished among us. This is to ensure that nothing may hinder and delay us in the true worship of God.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that even as we set up so many obstacles against You through the depravity of our flesh and natural disposition, so that we seem, as it were, to be intentionally striving to close the door against Your goodness and fatherly favor—O grant that our hearts may be so softened by Your Spirit, and the hardness that has until now prevailed may be so corrected, that we may submit ourselves to You with genuine teachableness, especially as You so kindly and tenderly invite us to Yourself, so that, being drawn by Your sweet invitation, we may run, and so run as not to become weary in our course, until Christ will at last bring us together to You and, at the same time, lead us to You for that eternal life which He has obtained for us by His own blood. Amen.