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(text and Hosea 2:23): —

1. We accept the supreme authority of Holy Scripture: every word of it is truth to us.

2. Yet we attach special weight to words which are the personal utterances of the Lord, as here.

3. Still more are we impressed when a Divine message is repeated, as here.

4. "God saith" still what He said long ago. Come, then, anxious souls, and hear the story of God's grace to His chosen, in the hope that He may do the like for you. Observe concerning the Lord's people —

I. THEIR ORIGINAL STATE.

1. They not only were not "beloved," but they were expressly disowned. Their claim, if they made any, was negatived. This is the worst case that can be; worse than to be left alone. This conscience, providence, and God's Word all appear to say to men who persist in sin.

2. They had no approval of God. They were not numbered with His people, and were not "beloved " in the sense of complacency.

3. They had not in the highest sense obtained mercy. For —

(1)  They were under providential judgment.

(2)  That judgment had not become a blessing to them.

(3)  They had not even sought for mercy.

4. They were types of a people who as yet have —

(1)  Felt no application of the blood of Jesus.

(2)  Known no renewing work of the Spirit.

(3)  Obtained no relief by prayer; perhaps have not prayed.

(4)  Enjoyed no comfort of the promises.

(5)  Known no communion with God.

(6)  No hope of heaven or preparation for it.It is a terrible description, including all the unsaved. It is concerning such that the promise is made — "I will call them My people." Who these are shall be seen in due time by their repentance and faith, which shall be wrought in them by the Spirit of God. There are such people, and this fact is our encouragement in preaching the gospel, for we perceive that our labour will not be in vain.

II. THEIR NEW CONDITION.

1. Mercy is promised.

2. A Divine revelation is pronounced. "I will say, Thou art My people." This is —

(1)  Done by the Spirit of God in the heart.

(2)  Supported by gracious dealings in the life.

3. A hearty response shall be given. "They shall say, Thou art my God." The Spirit will lead them to this free acceptance.

(1)  As a whole, they will say this with one voice.

(2)  Each individual will say it for himself in the singular. "Thou."

4. A declaration of love shall be made. "I will call her beloved," etc. Love shall be enjoyed.

5. This shall be perceived by others. "They shall be called," etc. Their likeness to God shall make them to be called the children of God, even as the peacemakers in Matthew 5:9. Thus every blessing shall be theirs, surely, personally, everlastingly.Reflections:

1. We must give up none as hopeless; even though they be marked out by terrible evidence to be not the people of God.

2. None may give up themselves in despair.

3. Sovereign grace is the ultimate hope of the fallen. Let them trust in a God so freely gracious, so mighty to save, so determined to bring in those whom it seemed that even He Himself had disowned, whom everybody had abandoned as not the people of God.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

WEB: As he says also in Hosea, "I will call them 'my people,' which were not my people; and her 'beloved,' who was not beloved."