Hosea 7:16 They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow… I. THEY RETURN. Some change is effected in their conduct, and perhaps in their disposition. 1. There is a moral distance from God, which is the state of all men by nature. They do not seek Him as the supreme good, nor serve Him as the Sovereign Lord. 2. A sinner's return, if feigned, still supposes a sense of this distance to be impressed upon the mind, sufficient to warn him at least of his danger. 3. Ephraim's return supposes some partial change both in the disposition and in the outward behaviour. Some sins are avoided and some duties performed in order to satisfy conscience and appease present convictions. The power of conscience and self-love may carry men a great way in religion, but leave them short of eternal life. Be not content with engaging in this or the other duty, or with making a profession of religion; but let there be a thorough and effectual change, a total renunciation of sin, and a surrender of the whole soul to God. II. THEY RETURN, "BUT NOT TO THE MOST HIGH." Instances of defective repentance in persons who are under religious impressions. 1. There are some who rest in their convictions, as others do in their sins. 2. Some become satisfied with a mere negative religion. 3. Some are confident of their salvation merely because of their imaginary joys and comforts. 4. Some rest satisfied with Gospel privileges in having a name and a place among the saints, and thus deceive their own souls. (B. Beddome, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt. |
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