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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 14:1-3

Here we have, I. A kind invitation given to sinners to repent, Hos. 14:1. It is directed to Israel, God's professing people. They are called to return. Note, Conversion must be preached even to those that are within the pale of the church as well as to heathen. ?Thou are Israel, and therefore art bound to thy God in duty, gratitude, and interest; thy revolt from him is so much the more heinous, and thy return to him so much the more necessary.? Let Israel see, 1. What work he has made for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 14:1

O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God ,.... From whom they had revolted and backslidden; whose worship and service they had forsaken, and whose word and ordinances they had slighted and neglected, and had served idols, and had given into idolatry, superstition, and will worship; and are here exhorted to turn again to the Lord by repentance and reformation, to abandon their idols, and every false way, and cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart; and the rather, since he was their God;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 14:1

O Israel, return unto the Lord - These words may be considered as addressed to the people now in captivity; suffering much, but having still much more to suffer if they did not repent. But it seems all these evils might yet be prevented, though so positively predicted, if the people would repent and return; and the very exhortation to this repentance shows that they still had power to repent, and that God was ready to save them and avert all these evils. All this is easily accounted for on... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 14:1

Verse 1 Here the Prophet exhorts the Israelites to repentance, and still propounds some hope of mercy. But this may seem inconsistent as he had already testified that there would be no remedy any more, because they had extremely provoked God. The Prophet seems in this case to contradict himself. But the solution is ready at hand, and it is this, — In speaking before of the final destruction of the people, he had respect to the whole body of the people; but now he directs his discourse to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 14:1

EXPOSITION The foregoing part of this book abounds with denunciations of punishment; this closing chapter superabounds with promises of pardon. Wave after wave of threatened wrath had rolled over Israel and come in unto their soul; now offer after offer of grace is made to them. O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God. The invitation to return implies previous departure, or distance, or wandering from God. The return to which they are invited is expressed, not by אֶל , to or towards,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 14:1-2

God's message to the prodigal. This chapter stands out in vivid contrast from much that precedes it. The denunciation of threats is over, and now Hosea turns to tender pleading with the godless. The change is like that which we see sometimes during a thunderstorm. The clouds gather, the wind sinks into a solemn silence, then the thunder rolls and crashes overhead, and men's hearts fail them for fear. But suddenly there is a lull, the clouds break, and, as a burst of sunshine lights up the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 14:1-2

Counsels to the sinful. It was the office of the prophet to be faithful at once with man and with God. He was bound not to flatter man, not to conceal or palliate human sins. At the same time, it was his to declare the whole counsel of God as the Ruler of all men, the Judge of the obdurate, the Healer of the penitent. I. A REMINDER OF THE FALL . The Book of Hosea's prophecies is full of reproaches and expostulations addressed to backsliding, idolatrous Israel. The people are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 14:1-3

The fallen invited to return. The history of Israel is the moral history of the world, at least in miniature. I. HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF . The history of Israel repeats itself in the history of mankind in general. Their history is the history of sin and of salvation, of ruin and of recovery, of the mercy of God and of the backsliding of man. Their bondage in Egypt represents the slavery of sin; their rescue out of the hand of the oppressor, our redemption; their sojourn in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 14:1-3

Return to God: its beginnings. The long and terrible storm of denunciation is now at last over; the wrath-clouds roll away, and the sunshine of the Divine love bursts forth with healing in its wings. Beyond all the hurly-burly of the tempest sent as the punishment of sin, the prophet discerns the paternal tenderness and the loving patience of the God of Israel. So he begins this closing chapter of his book with a last tender entreaty to return to him who "sitteth upon the flood," and who " ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 14:1-3

The prayer of the penitent. The prophecy does not close without comforting glimpses into the future, and sweet words of promise. The opening verses of this section invite the nation to repentance. They put a prayer into the people's lips with which to return to God. I. THE INVITATION . ( Hosea 14:1 ) The door of mercy stands open to Israel. But the invitation addressed to the ancient people is equally, in Christ, addressed to every sinner. Consider, accordingly: 1. The ... read more

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