Hosea 7:2 And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about… What the prophet affirms of God's ancient people is gravely distressing. I. THE FACT ASSERTED. God remembers the wickedness of men. Wickedness denotes what is hateful and destructive. Men may excuse it, deny it, forget it; but God remembers it. 1. This fact is clear from the declarations of His Word. 2. From the perfections of His nature. "The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed." 3. From the equity of His government and a future judgment. You that forget God, and forget your sins, know that God remembers. II. THE EVIL STATED. That men forget this fact. The evil lamented is inconsideration. The want of consideration appears — 1. In men's continued commission of sin. 2. In their doing this without regret. 3. In their readiness to extenuate sin. 4. In their disregard of future consequences.Wherein then consists the evil of this want of consideration? (1) They who are thus chargeable neglect the plainest admonitions of Scripture. (2) They oppose the frequent dictates of conscience. (3) They allow themselves in the-practice of secret sins. (4) They may even proceed to the commission of open vice. (5) Thus proceeding they eventually ruin the soul.As to the duty of consideration, the authority of God commands it. The grace of God recommends it. The reason of man approves it. The aversion of man to this duty implies its importance. (T. Kidd.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face. |
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