Hosea 14:8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree… I. THE LANGUAGE AND CHARACTER OF TRUE PENITENTS. Godly sorrow for sin is always found when sin is perceived in its pollution and native deformity. The language, "What have I to do any more with idols?" is the language of confession: a sincere acknowledgement of sin committed against God. Unless the sinner confess his sins unto God he cannot entertain the least degree of hope that they will be forgiven. But this sorrow is not that godly sorrow which issues in repentance unto salvation, unless it has respect to Him who was made a sin-offering for us. Godly sorrow is the gift of God. It is the effect of His Spirit brooding on the heart, softening and melting it. A constituent part of true repentance is faith in the Saviour of sinners. It implies also a steadfast determination to break away from idols, to cast them off. The idols of the heart are to be treated as heathen should treat their idols of wood and stone. But this costs us supreme difficulty. II. GOD'S DISPOSITION TOWARDS SUCH AS CALL UPON HIM IN PENITENTIAL PRAYER. 1. His attentive observation. The words of this passage depict the notice which God takes of those who have any spark of generous indignation against themselves. The ears of the Almighty are open to the very first words which betoken humiliation and penitence. 2. His favourable mind towards them. He regards them with a placable mind, as well as a favourable eye. If there is any one truth to which we should cling with the greatest tenacity it is surely this, the favourable disposition of God towards returning penitents. 3. He is a shadow of protection for those who repair to Him in penitence and faith. "I am a green fir-tree." He will shield and defend them from the fiery darts of Satan, from their own clamorous lusts, and from the depraved examples of the world. III. FRUIT PROCEEDING PROM THE RELATION INTO WHICH THE TRULY PENITENT ARE BROUGHT WITH GOD. 1. What is to be deemed "fruit." The worth of a tree consists in its bringing forth the fruit which is proper to its nature. The fruit differs according to the kind of the tree. God's people are called "trees of righteousness." They bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. 2. This fruit is produced by the grace of God working in those who are in union with Christ. 3. This fruit is found in all who are truly turned to God, truly converted to God. Faith is lifeless and dead if it produce no fruit. There must be. life and reality in our religion if we would glorify our Father who is in heaven. (H. J. Hastings, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. |
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