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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 6:1-3

These may be taken either as the words of the prophet to the people, calling them to repentance, or as the words of the people to one another, exciting and encouraging one another to seek the Lord, and to humble themselves before him, in hopes of finding mercy with him. God had said, In their affliction they will seek me; now the prophet, and the good people his friends, would strike while the iron was hot, and set in with the convictions their neighbours seemed to be under. Note, Those who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 6:3

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord ,.... The word "if" is not in the original text, and the passage is not conditional, but absolute; for as persons, when converted, know Christ, and not before, when he is revealed to them, and in them, as the only Saviour and Redeemer, so they continue and increase in the knowledge of him; they earnestly desire to know more of him, and eagerly pursue those means and methods by which they attain to a greater degree of it; for so the words... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 6:3

Then shall we know - We shall have the fullest evidence that we have not believed in vain. If we follow on to know the Lord - If we continue to be as much in earnest as we now are. His going forth - The manifestation of his mercy to our souls is as certain as the rising of the sun at the appointed time. And he shall come unto us as the rain - As surely as the early and the latter rain come. The first, to prepare the earth for the seed; this fell in autumn: the second, to prepare... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 6:3

Verse 3 In this verse the faithful pursue what we have before considered, making the hope of salvation sure to themselves: nor is it a matter of wonder that the Prophet dwells more fully on this subject; for we know how prone we are to entertain doubt. There is nothing more difficult, especially when God shows to us signs of his wrath, than to recover us, so that we may be really persuaded that he is our physician, when he seems to visit us for our sins. We must then, in this case, earnestly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:1-3

EXPOSITION These three verses have, by the division into chapters, been violently and improperly torn from the preceding chapter, to which they naturally belong. Their connection with the foregoing sentiments is indicated by the ancient versions—Chaldee and Septuagint, the LXX ; for example, inserting λέγοντες , as if the reading had been לֵאסֹר : This read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:1-3

Exhortation and encouragement to repentance. Whether the opening words of this chapter be those which the penitents address mutually to each other, or whether they be the exhortation of the prophet encouraging the people to return to God, the sentiment they contain is equally important, and the duty enjoined is equally imperative. I. THE URGENCY OF THIS APPEAL IS STRIKING . From whichever of the sources indicated this appeal proceeds, its urgency is unmistakable, as implied... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:1-3

Repentance and saving knowledge. We view these verses as closely connected with the last verse of the preceding chapter. There the Lord has said that Ephraim and Judah, when they shall have been well punished for their apostasy, will at length return to him. Here, accordingly, he anticipates what they shall say to one another when they do so. "In their affliction they will seek me early, saying, Come, and let us return unto the Lord." This prediction, doubtless, has already once and again... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:1-3

Returning to God. Affliction is represented as having at length accomplished its work. In the far country the prodigal bethinks himself of his father's house. He comes to himself. He says, "I will arise," etc. ( Luke 15:18 ). Thus shall Israel at last take with them words, and turn to the Lord ( Hosea 14:2 ). The words stand as a form for Israel to take up whenever their hearts shall turn to the Lord ( 2 Corinthians 3:16 ). I. RETURN TO GOD RESOLVED UPON . ( Hosea 6:1 )... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:3

The quest of Divine knowledge. In the Old Testament prominence is given to the intellectual as well as to the practical side of religion. To the Hebrew, religion was no mere matter of routine and ceremony; it consisted in an acquaintance with the character and will of the Supreme, and in a practical obedience. In this the authority of Old Testament Scripture is very apparent. True religion as distinguished from human superstition is based upon an appeal to the intelligence. I. THE AIM... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:3

Morning and showers. A beautiful description of the privileges and joys appointed for such as follow on to know the Lord. His gracious visitation is compared to the brightness of the daybreak, to the falling of the refreshing and fertilizing showers. The language is doubly applicable to those who receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. I. A SUGGESTION OF HUMAN NEED . It is implied that our state in sin and ignorance is a state of darkness and of drought. 1. Absence of Divine... read more

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