Hosea 6:4-11:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 6:4-11

Two things, two evil things, both Judah and Ephraim are here charged with, and justly accused of:? I. That they were not firm to their own convictions, but were unsteady, unstable as water, Hos. 6:4, 5. O Ephraim! what shall I do unto thee? O Judah! what shall I do unto thee? This is a strange expression. Can Infinite Wisdom be at a loss what to do? Can it be nonplussed, or put upon taking new measures? By no means; but God speaks after the manner of men, to show how absurd and unreasonable... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 6:4

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee ?.... Or, "for thee" F24 לך "in tuum commodum", Schmidt. ? The Lord having observed the effect and consequence of his going and returning to his place, of his leaving his people for a long time under afflictions and in distress; namely, their thorough conversion to him in the latter day, and the blessings attending it; returns to the then present times again, and to the state and condition in which Ephraim and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 6:4

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? - This is the answer of the Lord to the above pious resolutions; sincere while they lasted, but frequently forgotten, because the people were fickle. Their goodness (for goodness it was while it endured) was like the morning cloud that fadeth away before the rising sun, or like the early dew which is speedily evaporated by heat. Ephraim and Judah had too much goodness in them to admit of their total rejection, and too much evil to admit of their being... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 6:4

Verse 4 Some so expound this passage as that God would not once irrigate his people, but would continue this favor; as though he said, “He is deceived, who thinks that the redemption, which I bid you to hope from me, will be momentary, for I will, by a continued progress, lead my people to a full fruition of salvation.” But this sense is altogether foreign. The Prophet then, no doubt, introduces God here as speaking thus, “What shall I do to you? because ye cannot receive my favor, so great is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:4

For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. A new section here commences. God, having tried various expedients and many ways to restore Israel to faithfulness, finds all those methods unavailing; and now he asks what further means of reclamation he can resort to; what further punishment he is to inflict. Thus in Isaiah 1:5 , "Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more!" or what additional privileges can be vouchsafed? Thus in Isaiah... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:4

God's grief over evanescent goodness. There are times in a man's life when he begins to fear that he is too impotent or too sinful for the notice of God. In the activity of the day he may be free from such a thought; but in the solemn night, when he looks up to the vast canopy above him and thinks how those same stars have been brooding over the earth amidst all its changes, there comes to him the thought of David, "When I consider thy heavens," etc. Still more is he oppressed by the sense... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:4

Transitory goodness. The climate of Palestine is dry, and accordingly dew is especially precious. Hence it is a natural figure of welcome blessings. "I will be dew unto Israel; As the dew on Hermon." Rain, too, is now and again infrequent, and is therefore longed for and prized. "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass." Both dew and rain are necessary for vegetation and life, and are appropriate emblems of highest good. And as a light dew is too soon scorched up, and as a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:4

A threefold theme. "O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away." "What shall I do to thee, O Ephraim! What shall I do to thee, O Judah! For your goodness is like the morning cloud, And like the dew which early departeth" (Henderson) Here we have a threefold theme of thought. I. DIVINE SOLICITUDE . Here the Infinite condescends to speak after the manner of men, that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:4

The day-dawn and the rain. The Jewish doctors found in these words a prophecy of Christ. We Christians cannot do less. It is Christ whom our faith must grasp under these two figures—the day-dawn and the rain . There is a twofold coming of the Son of God—the first in his own Person to establish and confirm the gospel; the second in his Holy Spirit to apply it to the heart. The one of these may be very fitly compared to the morning, the other to the rain. I. THERE ARE POINTS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 6:4-5

Fugitive piety. A thoughtful reader cannot fail to observe the contrast here suggested between the constancy of Jehovah's grace ( Hosea 6:3 ) and the inconstancy of Israel's piety ( Hosea 6:4 ). If Israel would (rely "return," and "follow on to know the Lord" now, all would yet be well. But, alas! the twelve tribes are as fickle as he is faithful. I. GOD 'S COMPLAINT REGARDING THE JEWISH PEOPLE . ( Hosea 6:4 ) In Eastern lands the sky is often heavily hung with clouds... read more

Group of Brands