Matthew Henry Commentary Hosea 3
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hosea 3
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hosea 3
"And Jehovah said unto me, Go again, love a woman beloved of [her] friend, and an adulteress, even as Jehovah loveth the children of Israel, though they turn unto other gods, and love cakes of raisins. So I bought her to me for fifteen [pieces] of silver, and a homer of barley, and a half-homer of barley; and I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be any man`s wife: so will I also be toward thee." — Hosea 3:1-3 (ASV)
People's dislike of true religion is because they love objects and forms that allow them to indulge, instead of mortifying, their lusts. How wonderful it is that a holy God should have goodwill toward those whose carnal mind is enmity against Him!
Here, God's gracious dealings with the fallen human race, which had strayed from Him, are depicted. This is the covenant of grace He is willing to enter into with them; they must be a people to Him, and He will be a God to them. They must accept the punishment of their sin and must not return to folly.
And it is a certain sign that our afflictions are a means of good to us when we are kept from being overcome by the temptations of an afflicted state.
"For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king, and without prince, and without sacrifice, and without pillar, and without ephod or teraphim: afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek Jehovah their God, and David their king, and shall come with fear unto Jehovah and to his goodness in the latter days." — Hosea 3:4-5 (ASV)
Here is the application of the parable to Israel. They must long sit like a widow, stripped of all joys and honors, but will eventually be received again.
Those who seek the Lord to find him must apply to Christ and become his willing people. Not only are we to fear the Lord and his greatness, but the Lord and his goodness; not only his majesty, but his mercy.
Even Jewish writers apply this passage to the promised Messiah; doubtless it foretold their future conversion to Christ, for which they are kept a separate people.
Though the first fear of God arises from a view of his holy majesty and righteous vengeance, yet the experience of mercy and grace through Jesus Christ will lead the heart to reverence such a kind and glorious Friend and Father, and to fear offending him.
Jump to: