"His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon.""The loveliest of figures are here employed to describe the consequences"[16] of union with the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Covenant. God's goodness will not merely forgive and restore, but also beautify .and make fruitful and fragrant the NeW Israel of God. read more
Hosea 14:5-6. I will be as the dew, &c.— These verses contain gracious promises of God's favour upon Israel's conversion, represented by different metaphors. In the fifth verse, it is described by that refreshment, which copious dews give to the grass in the heat of summer. If we consider the nature of the climate, and the necessity of dews in so hot a country, not only to refresh, but likewise to preserve life; if we consider also the beauty of the oriental lilies, the fragrance of the... read more
5. as the dew—which falls copiously in the East, taking the place of the more frequent rains in other regions. God will not be "as the early dew that goeth away," but constant (Hosea 6:3; Hosea 6:4; Job 29:19; Proverbs 19:12). the lily—No plant is more productive than the lily, one root often producing fifty bulbs [PLINY, Natural History, 21.5]. The common lily is white, consisting of six leaves opening like bells. The royal lily grows to the height of three or four feet; Matthew 6:29 alludes... read more
6. branches—shoots, or suckers. beauty . . . as the olive—which never loses its verdure. One plant is not enough to express the graces of God's elect people. The lily depicts its lovely growth; but as it wants duration and firmness, the deeply rooted cedars of Lebanon are added; these, however, are fruitless, therefore the fruitful, peace-bearing, fragrant, ever green olive is added. smell as Lebanon—which exhaled from it the fragrance of odoriferous trees and flowers. So Israel's name shall be... read more
B. Restoration in spite of unfaithfulness 14:1-8As usual in the major sections of Hosea, promises of restoration follow announcements of judgment. This final section of restoration promises begins with an appeal for repentance and closes with the prospect of full and complete restoration."In beauty of expression these final words of Hosea rank with the memorable chapters of the OT. Like the rainbow after a storm, they promise Israel’s final restoration. Here is the full flowering of God’s... read more
2. A promise of restoration 14:4-8 read more
The Lord would descend on Israel with blessing like the dew. Instead of being dry and withered (Hosea 13:15) Israel would blossom like the prolific spring lily (or crocus, cf. Song of Solomon 2:2). The Israelites would become as beautiful as an olive tree that is not only attractive but the source of beneficial products (cf. Psalms 52:8; Jeremiah 11:16). Israel would take root and grow strong, like a cedar of Lebanon (cf. Song of Solomon 4:11). read more
Israel would become productive and attractive to the eye and nose, namely, totally appealing. Shoots imply stability, beauty suggests visibility, and fragrance connotes desirability. read more
Israel will Surely Repent and be ForgivenHosea makes a touching final appeal for repentance. He assures Israel of God’s mercy, and closes with a description of the blessings that will follow the renewal of His favour.2. Take.. words] go to Him, prepared to confess your sins. Receive us graciously] RV ’accept that which is good,’ i.e. what is good in us, in contrast to the iniquity which God is asked to take away. Render] i.e. offer. The calves.. lips] better, ’our lips as bullocks’—that... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Hosea 14:5
"I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall blossom as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.""Dew ..." is to be understood here not as transitory, but as refreshing. In that climate it was a valuable agent in the agricultural productiveness of the land."He shall blossom as the lily ..." "The New Israel will have the beauty of the lily (Matthew 6:28-29), and the noble strength and stability of the poplar (literally `Lebanon')."[15] read more