Hosea 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say to him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously… We are furnished in this chapter with a most vivid picture of God's unchangeable love towards His people. No sooner are the children of Israel brought to a sense of their helpless wretchedness, and led to betake themselves to the footstool of their God, to ask for pardon and mercy, than they obtain grace, and find help in the time of need. They no sooner assay to go to Him than He anticipates them; binds up their broken hearts, pours the balm of consolation into their wounded spirits. I. THE PROPHET'S CALL TO REPENTANCE. This is pathetic to a degree. "O Israel!" What boundless instances of unspeakable love does this single expression imply! "In Me is thy help." Return, only return, and it shall be well with you again. You must have learnt, long ere this, the hopelessness of the prodigal, without a father's love and protecting care. But let that return be a sincere, earnest, and permanent return. Let it be a truthful and spiritual return. Only genuine repentance can do us any effectual good. The wording of the call suggests that the prophet's appeal is dictated by mercy and judgment, Mercy. "Return unto the Lord thy God." Jehovah is still thy God, and not yet thy Judge, still gracious and merciful, long-suffering, of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil. It is by the attribute of mercy that God first appeals to His covenant people to return to Him. What a glorious motive for repentance! The Lord Jehovah is still ready and willing to be your God, in order to smooth the way for your return to Him. Judgment. "For thou hast fallen by thine iniquity," and art therefore amenable to the just punishment which is the portion of all those who transgress God's law. If mercies do not work upon your love, let judgment work upon your fear. II. THE NATURE OF GENUINE REPENTANCE. "Take with you words," etc. The penitent is not left., to frame words according to his own fancy or imagination, but the Holy Sprat actually puts words into the sinner's mouth. We must also be prepared personally, we must endeavour to begin a pure and holy life. It was for lack of a personal preparation that Israel's prayer was rejected. It is also necessary to endeavour to be possessed of such a state of mind as to entitle the suppliant to the benefits of paternal compassion. We need preparation of the heart. This fourfold preparation must be obtained from Him alone who is almighty. Of ourselves we can do nothing. From the simple expression, "Take with you words," we learn — 1. That God's will must be our rule in prayer, for it is under such circumstances only that we need expect our supplications to be accepted. 2. That God's precepts and promises must be the subject-matter of our prayer. We are too short-sighted to know what is good for us, or what God in His inscrutable dispensations has appointed for us. 3. That the help of the Holy Spirit must be the life and principle of our prayer. The Spirit who now abides with us must be our teacher in all things, and bring all things to our remembrance. He will teach us what is the will of God. Observe now the "sound form" dictated for the use of the penitents, when really and truly returning unto the Lord their God. "Take away all iniquity," etc. In this passage there is a petition and a promise. The petition is subdivided into two distinct requests, an entreaty for the pardon of sin, and a solicitation for granting unmerited favours. The promise consists of thanksgiving. "So will we render the calves of our lips"; and of amendment of life. "Asshur shall not save us," etc. The text concludes with a reason for the petition and promise. "For in Thee the fatherless findeth mercy." Note that repentance cannot exist without thanksgiving, nor can sincere thanksgiving be found in an individual not truly penitent. "Asshur shall not save us," means, we give up all human succour. Genuine repentance takes the heart from all carnal confidence. Many are the gods and lords which the unconverted create for themselves. Men of power deify strength. Men of wisdom deify knowledge and prudence. Men of morality and virtue deify their good works. (Moses Margoliouth.) Parallel Verses KJV: Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. |
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