Matthew Henry Commentary Hosea 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hosea 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hosea 4
"Hear the word of Jehovah, ye children of Israel; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. There is nought but swearing and breaking faith, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery; they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Yet let no man strive, neither let any man reprove; for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. And thou shalt stumble in the day, and the prophet also shall stumble with thee in the night; and I will destroy thy mother." — Hosea 4:1-5 (ASV)
Hosea reproves for immorality, as well as idolatry. There was no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God in the land: it was full of murders (2 Kings 21:16). Therefore, calamities were near, which would desolate the country.
Our sins, as separate persons, as a family, as a neighbourhood, as a nation, cause the Lord to have a controversy with us; let us submit and humble ourselves before Him, so that He may not continue to destroy.
"My people are destroyed for 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, I also will forget thy children. As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me: I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity. And it shall be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will requite them their doings. And they shall eat, and not have enough; they shall play the harlot, and shall not increase; because they have left off taking heed to Jehovah. Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the understanding." — Hosea 4:6-11 (ASV)
Both priests and people rejected knowledge, so God will justly reject them. They forgot the law of God. They neither desired nor endeavored to retain it in mind and to transmit its memory to their posterity. Therefore, God will justly forget them and their children. If we dishonor God with that which is our honor, it will, sooner or later, be turned into shame for us.
The sacrifices showed what an offense sin was to God, as they required atonement. However, instead of using this understanding to warn the people against sin, the priests encouraged them to sin, since atonement could be made at such a small cost. It is very wicked to be pleased with the sins of others because they may turn to our advantage.
What is unlawfully gained cannot be used with true comfort. The people and the priests hardened one another in sin; therefore, they shall justly share in the punishment. Sharers in sin must expect to share in ruin. Any lust harbored in the heart will, in time, consume all its strength and vigor.
That is the reason why many who profess faith become so heavy, so dull, so dead in their religious life. They have a liking for some secret lust, which draws their hearts away.
"My people ask counsel at their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredom hath caused them to err, and they have played the harlot, [departing] from under their God. They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters play the harlot, and your brides commit adultery. I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for [the men] themselves go apart with harlots, and they sacrifice with the prostitutes; and the people that doth not understand shall be overthrown. Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, As Jehovah liveth. For Israel hath behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place. Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone. Their drink is become sour; they play the harlot continually; her rulers dearly love shame. The wind hath wrapped her up in its wings; and they shall be put to shame because of their sacrifices." — Hosea 4:12-19 (ASV)
The people consulted images and not the Divine Word. This would lead to disorder and sin. Thus people prepare scourges for themselves, and vice is spread throughout a people.
Let Judah not come near the idolatrous worship of Israel. For Israel was devoted to idols and must now be left alone.
When sinners cast off the easy yoke of Christ, they go on in sin until the Lord says, Let them alone. Then they receive no more warnings and feel no more convictions: Satan takes full possession of them, and they ripen for destruction.
It is a sad and grievous judgment for anyone to be left alone in sin. Those who are not disturbed in their sin will be destroyed for their sin. May we be kept from this awful state, for the wrath of God, like a strong tempest, will soon hurry impenitent sinners into ruin.
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