Homilist Hosea 11:8-9 How shall I give you up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver you, Israel? how shall I make you as Admah? how shall I set you as Zeboim?… The Bible is pre-eminently an anthropomorphetic book. That is, it represents God through man's emotions, modes of thought and actions. It is in the character of a father that these verses present Him to our notice. No human character can give a full or perfect revelation of Him. Yet it is only through human love, human faithfulness, human justice, that we can gain any conception of the love, faithfulness, and justice of the Eternal. I. MERCY AND JUSTICE AS CO-EXISTING IN THE HEART OF THE ETERNAL. To give up to ruin, to deliver to destruction is the demand of justice. "Mine heart is turned within Me, My repentings are kindled together." This is the voice of mercy. What is justice? It is that sentiment which demands that every one should have his due. What is mercy? A disposition to overlook injuries and to treat things better than they deserve. These two must never be regarded as elements essential]y distinct, they are branches from the same root, streams from the same fountain. Both are but modifications of love. Justice is but love standing up sternly against the wrong, mercy is but love bending in tenderness over the helpless and the suffering. In the heart of God this love assumes two phases or manifestations. 1. Material nature shows that there is the stern and mild in God. 2. Providence shows that there is the stern and the mild in God. The heavy afflictions that befall nations, families, and individuals, reveal His sternness; the health and the joy that gladden life reveal His mercy. 3. The spiritual constitution of man shows that there is the stern and the mild in God. In the human soul there is an instinct to revenge the wrong, often stern, inexorable, and heartless. There is also an instinct of tenderness and compassion. These came from the great Father. II. MERCY AND JUSTICE AS EXCITED BY MAN in the heart of the Father. 1. The moral wickedness of Ephraim evoked His justice. Human wickedness is always stirring, so to say, the justice of the Infinite heart. 2. The filial suffering of Ephraim evoked His mercy. God calls Ephraim His son, and Ephraim was in suffering, and hence His compassion was turned. III. MERCY STRUGGLING AGAINST JUSTICE IN THE HEART OF THE GREAT FATHER. Even as the human father finds a struggle between what justice requires, and mercy pleads for, in dealing with his wilful son. IV. MERCY TRIUMPHING OVER JUSTICE IN THE HEART OF THE GREAT FATHER. 1. Mercy has so triumphed in the perpetuation of the race. 2. In the experience of every living man. 3. In the redemptive mission of Christ.How comes it to pass that mercy thus triumphs? Here is the answer: "For I am God, and not man." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. |
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