The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:3
Man God-ward, and God man-ward. "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." "Let us therefore know—hunt after the knowledge of Jehovah; his rising is fixed like the morning dawn, that he may come to us like rain, and moisten the earth like the latter rain" (Keil and Delitzsch). There are two pursuits in this passage—man pursuing God, "following on to... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:3
The rain. The climate of Palestine differs from our own. There are "early" rains at sowing-time. Rain continues from autumn until spring. That which swells the corn and prepares for harvest is the "latter" rain. Deficiency of rain is fatal to the hopes of the husbandman; regular and abundant rains ensure his crops. Accordingly these rains serve as figures of the spiritual influences of God in producing and perfecting spiritual life and fruitfulness. The appropriateness is evident of the... read more