Hosea 12

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:10

I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. The vav before the verb in the beginning of the verse is copulative, and the verb is in the preterit as the accent is on the penult; if the vav were conversive of the preterit into the future, the verb would have the accent on the ultimate. The preterit denotes what has been taking place up to the present. עִל is explained (a) use similitudes, some supply a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:10

Visions and similitudes. In two ways Jehovah showed himself to be in an especial manner favorable towards the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The first was by his providential care of the nation throughout its history. And the second was that mentioned in this verse: God sent continually to his chosen people prophets, whose communications were the means of instructing, warning, and guiding them. Observe the twofold description of the Divine revelation vouchsafed. I. VISIONS .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:10

God's method in teaching the great teachers of the world. "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets." God is the great Teacher of mankind. "Who teaches like him?" He teaches the best lessons, in the best way and for the best purpose; he teaches man through the works of nature, and through the best of men. God has always employed prophets in his great school for humanity. Into every age he has sent men above the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:10-11

Hosea 12:10 and Hosea 12:11 prove God's continual care for the spiritual welfare and best interests of Israel all along, and, at the same time, the inexcusableness of Israel in forgetting God and in arrogating to themselves the power of controlling their own destinies in the matter of wealth and prosperity; while multiplied prophecies and visions testified to both, viz. to God's care and Israel's recklessness of warnings. Moreover, their persistence in sin prepared them for and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:11

Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity. In reference to hypotheticals, Driver remarks, "With an imperfect in protasis. The apodosis may then begin (a) hath vav con. and the perfect; (b) with the infinitive (without vav ) ; (c) with perfect alone (expressing the certainty and suddenness with which the result immediately accomplishes the occurrence of the promise. Hosea 12:12 ( היו in apodesis, 'of the certain future')." The first part of this clause has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:11-14

Reproofs and remembrancers. Reproofs for sin, and remembrancers of mercy. I. REBUKES FOR SIN . 1. The richest temporal blessings are blighted by sin . Gilead was a fruitful and pleasant region, as may be inferred from references to it in Scripture, as when God says, "Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness," and when its productions are spoken of, and its pasturages celebrated. It is still a beautiful district, with its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:12-13

And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. The connection of this verse with what precedes has been variously explained. The flight of Israel and his servitude are intended, according to Umbreit, "to bring out the double servitude of Israel—the first, the one which the people had to endure in their forefather; the second, the one which they had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:12-14

Preserved by a prophet. Comparison with Deuteronomy 26:5-10 shows that the point in this passage is the contrast between Israel's original low estate in Syria and Egypt—the nation in the former case being represented in its ancestor—and the state of honor to which God raised it, when he brought it out of Egypt by Moses, and settled it in Canaan. The intention is to show the full enormity of Ephraim's ingratitude. I. ISRAEL IS SYRIA . ( Deuteronomy 26:12 ) This is viewed as the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:13

The ministry of prophets. The reference of this verse is obviously to Moses, who was indeed a great national leader and legislator, but who, it must not be forgotten, was the first and the greatest of the prophets. The remarkable fact here alluded to is, that God made choice and use of a prophet, not simply to teach, but to effect a great deliverance on behalf of the chosen nation. I. THE SELECTION OF S PROPHET AS THE INSTRUMENT FOR A GREAT WORK WAS HONORING TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 12:14

Ephraim provoked him to auger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him. Instead of humble thankfulness and due devotedness, Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly. Therefore his blood-guiltiness and consequent punishment are left upon him; his sin and its consequences are not taken away. The dishonor done to God by Ephraim's idolatry and sins shall bring back a sure recompense and severe retribution. HOMILETICS read more

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