Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Hosea Ch.4 / 14 Ch.s
HO:4
* God's judgments against the sins of the people. (1-5) and of
the priests. (6-11) Idolatry is reproved, and Judah is
admonished. (12-19)
#1-5 Hosea reproves for immorality, as well as idolatry. There
was no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God in the land: it was
full of murders, #2Ki 21:16|. Therefore calamities were near,
which would desolate the country. Our sins, as separate persons,
as a family, as a neighbourhood, as a nation, cause the Lord to
have a controversy with us; let us submit and humble ourselves
before Him, that he may not go on to destroy.
#6-11 Both priests and people rejected knowledge; God will
justly reject them. They forgot the law of God, neither desired
nor endeavoured to retain it in mind, and to transmit the
remembrance to their posterity; therefore God will justly forget
them and their children. If we dishonour God with that which is
our honour, it will, sooner or later, be turned into shame to
us. Instead of warning the people against sin, from the
consideration of the sacrifices, which showed what an offence
sin was to God, since it needed an atonement, the priests
encouraged the people to sin, since atonement might be made at
so small an expense. It is very wicked to be pleased with the
sins of others, because they may turn to our advantage. What is
unlawfully gained, cannot be comfortably used. The people and
the priests hardened one another in sin; therefore justly shall
they share in the punishment. Sharers in sin must expect to
share in ruin. Any lust harboured in the heart, in time will eat
out all its strength and vigour. That is the reason why many
professors grow so heavy, so dull, so dead in the way of
religion. They have a liking for some secret lust, which takes
away their hearts.
#12-19 The people consulted images, and not the Divine word.
This would lead to disorder and sin. Thus men prepare scourges
for themselves, and vice is spread through a people. Let not
Judah come near the idolatrous worship of Israel. For Israel was
devoted to idols, and must now be let alone. When sinners cast
off the easy yoke of Christ, they go on in sin till the Lord
saith, Let them alone. Then they receive no more warnings, feel
no more convictions: Satan takes full possession of them, and
they ripen for destruction. It is a sad and sore judgment for
any man to be let alone in sin. Those who are not disturbed in
their sin, will be destroyed for their sin. May we be kept from
this awful state; for the wrath of God, like a strong tempest,
will soon hurry impenitent sinners into ruin.