Hosea 8:5 Your calf, O Samaria, has cast you off; my anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocence? The gross and debasing idolatry of Israel soon brought upon them the judgments of heaven; and when in their deep distress they discovered their folly, they found that, having cast off Jehovah, they "had no god to go to." It is to this course of wickedness the text refers. The prophet addresses the people of Samaria in tones of withering irony. Two important lessons. I. THAT EVERY FALSE AND WORLDLY CONFIDENCE IS SURE IN THE END TO CHEAT AND DISAPPOINT US. Speak to those who are worshipping some other object than the one true God — drink, business. II. THE LORD HIMSELF, AND HE ALONE, WILL NEVER FAIL OR CAST OFF THOSE THAT TRUST IN HIM. Why should He taunt Israel upon the faithlessness and vanity of their earthly idols, if to trust Himself might prove equally vain? Wherefore should He remind you that the golden calves of worldly pleasure, pelf, and pride will all cast you off, if perchance He will cast you off Himself? It is a curious fact that just as foolish and worldly people generally cherish unfounded hopes, so Christian persons often indulge unfounded fears. The one never imagine that their calf, their idol, will cast them off: the other are constantly doubting and dreading that their God will forsake them. If there is anything that God makes quite plain, it is that this can never be; He never fails nor forsakes. The truth is that God draws nearer and closer to His people in their trouble. (J. Thain Davidson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency? |
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