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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 2:16

Verse 16 The Prophet now expands his subject, and shows that when the people repented, the fruits of repentance would openly appear. One fruit he records, and that is, that they would then begin to worship God purely, all superstitions being abolished. It shall be, he says, in that day that thou shalt call me, My husband; and he mentions the word, husband, to show to the people, that after having been corrected, they would be mindful of the covenant which God had made with them; and in that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 2:17

Verse 17 In this verse the Prophet more clearly unfolds what he said before, that there would be a new mind in the people, so that they would worship God purely, though they were before entangled in their superstitions. The meaning then is, that religion will then return to its true state, for the names of Baalim shall cease. We have already stated whence this name had arisen. Not even the heathens wished to thrust the only true God from his celestial throne, by forming for themselves many... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 2:18

Verse 18 The Prophet shows here that the people would be in every way happy after their return to God’s favour: and, at the same time, he reminds us that the cause of all evils is, that men provoke God’s wrath. Hence, when God is angry, all things must necessarily be adverse to us; for as God has all creatures at his will, and in his hand, he can arm them in vengeance against us whenever he pleases: but when he is propitious to us, he can make all things in heaven and earth to be conducive to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 2:19

Verse 19 The Prophet here again makes known the manner in which God would receive into favor his people. As though the people had not violated the marriage vow, God promises to be to them like a bridegroom, who marries a virgin, young and pure. We have before spoken of the people’s defection; but as God had repudiated them, it was no common favor for the people to be received again by God, and received with pardon. When a woman returns to her husband, it is a great thing in the husband to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 2:20

Verse 20 In the third place, he adds, In faithfulness: and this confirms what we have before briefly referred to, — the fixed and unchangeable duration of this marriage. The words, righteousness and judgment, are, I know, more refinedly explained by some. They say that righteousness is what is conferred on us by God through gratuitous imputation; and they take judgment for that defense which he affords against the violence and the assaults of our enemies. But here the Prophet, I doubt not,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 2:14-18

Allurement. Wonderful are the steps of Divine love in the history of the recovery of a soul. View those which are here presented. I. WILDERNESS PREPARATION . ( Hosea 2:14 ) Chastisement would prepare the way for mercy. Israel was to be taken out "into the wilderness." There, deprived of her idols, and stripped of her earthly blessings, she would bethink herself of the God from whom she had departed. It takes much discipline, oftentimes, to bring us into the state of mind in which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 2:14-20

Israel's restoration. The word "therefore," with which this strophe opens, illustrates the blessed truth that God's thoughts are not our thoughts. The conclusion here is not what the premises would have led us to expect. This "therefore" is of Divine grace, not of hard cold intellect. Although Israel has foully dishonored her heavenly Husband, and must be severely chastised, he will not give her a" bill of divorcement" to put her away. Rather, her miseries shall attract his mercies.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 2:14-23

Sympathy with Israel in spite of their sins. The laken which introduces Hosea 2:14 is rendered by some " notwithstanding, " and this is what we might expect; but it is opposed by linguistic usage. We muse adhere to the ordinary translation, which is "therefore." The word thus translated tends to exalt our idea of God's goodness. Israel had sinned and forgotten God; the "therefore" we would expect, and the inference we would draw is God ' s final and forever abandonment of such a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 2:16-17

In these verses a renewal of God's covenant with Israel, under the figure of a marriage contract, is predicted. The name by which Israel shall address her beloved shall be henceforth Ishi, not Baali ; that is, a term of tender affection, not of stern authority. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 2:18

A state of tranquility was to follow, a sort of golden age was to ensue. With both the rational and irrational creation they would be at peace, enjoying security from the one and safety from the other. Peace would be established with the hostile forces of the outer world, and peace at the same time national and political. With the beasts of the field —viz, the wild beasts, as contrasted with behemah, tame animals— and with the fowls of heaven — i.e. birds of prey, destructive of the... read more

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