These are the touching words of the Jehovah of Israel by the mouth of His servant Hosea, describing the future state of the nation, the result of His faithful ways with them in crushing and alluring, then speaking to the heart in the wilderness, and from thence giving them vineyards and hope and song.
It is not without its deep interest to observe that the meaning of Hosea is salvation, thus bringing before us the deep, eternal thought of Jehovah’s heart for His poor and afflicted people.
Let us meditate a little on this and the voice it has for us in the moral and spiritual truths it records. Now redemption out of Egypt was the commencement of their history, as brought to God; on the shores of the Red Sea, which they passed over dry-shod, their first note of song was raised—Miriam, the sister of Moses, and Aaron led that song in those first moments of victory and triumph; that song recorded the might and power and faithfulness of Jehovah. “Jehovah is my strength and song. He is become my salvation.”
He had secured their shelter on the night of the Passover: when He, as Judge, passed through the land of Egypt, in the habitations sprinkled with the blood of Jehovah’s appointed victim they were safe and secure; though they were still in Egypt’s territory, but yet safe and secure beneath the virtue of that blood which had, as it were, met all the holy, righteous claims of the Judge. But through the judgment waters of the Red Sea they passed out of Egypt for ever—here it is change of place, a point of very especial moment to seize—Jehovah, who had provided in the land of Egypt a shelter, at the Red Sea became their salvation; through its opened waters of judgment they pass out of Egypt’s territory, they are brought on to another ground altogether. Salvation ever means this in scripture—as saved they sing. The sea, which opened to let them pass through dry shod, closed in upon their enemies and pursuers in all its strength, when the morning appeared, and swallowed them up, not one being left.
Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore; but they also saw that great work which Jehovah did upon the Egyptians, and they believed and feared and sang.
Now it is to this the words “As in the days of her youth” refer. It is worthy of note that this song celebrates Jehovah’s victory and glory, when they were in the result of it: it did not, save very indirectly, refer to themselves; true they were the subjects of Jehovah’s salvation, but they were not the subject of the song—Jehovah, and He alone, was that. Thus it ever is, where the Victor fills the vision; and is He not worthy? Where can one be found who has such a claim upon the homage and worship, the adoration and praise of those whom He has for ever liberated and blest?
For when I have brought them into the land, which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
Again, “This people will rise up and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? and I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils that they shall have wrought, in that they are turned to other gods.”
Then, following these words, are those of the song which Moses taught the children of Israel, in which the faithful, unchanging Jehovah is celebrated thus: “He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just, and right is he.”
It was none other than such as He who, in His faithfulness and truth, could bring back to Himself a rebellious and headstrong people.
Verily the gifts and calling of God are without change of mind on God’s part; the history of this people is the great evidence and proof of this, and so it will be in that coming day for them, when crushed and allured and broken in His love, from the place least expected, He will give the vineyards and the door of hope, and in the lovely words that head this paper, “She shall sing there, as in the days of her youth.”
This truth has its moral force and voice for us, in principle it is just the same: His faithful grace brings us back to Him, if, like Israel, we have flitted and wandered away. As it was with Israel so it is with us, the valley of Achor is the door of hope.
May He who alone can teach us, lead our hearts into a right apprehension of His own rich and wonderful grace, for Christ’s sake.