The Final Repentance and Full Restoration of Israel to Their God
Then most beautifully winding up the prophecy, we have in Hosea 14 no scattered leaf of the Sibyl, but what ought to be here and nowhere else—the final operation and effect of divine grace on the long-guilty, long-hardened people of God. The appeals, the reminiscences, the warnings, and the mercy are no longer in vain; but at length by the Spirit poured into the heart of Israel (who bow at last to that gracious Jehovah whose long-suffering had waited upon them many days—ages of His own dishonor through them—waiting for these latter days) the blessed time of Israel’s restoration to their God in their own land. Fitly therefore at the end, and assuredly not in vain, comes the call: “O Israel, return unto Jehovah thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity” (vs. 1). How true and wholesome is the Word of God! “Take with you words, and turn to Jehovah: say unto Him, Take away all iniquity” (vs. 2). He would not leave them without a suited word to Him, for He loves to provide all; He would put no words less than these into their lips: “Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously” (vs. 2). Would they have ventured to ask so much? Lord, teach us to ask from Thee—we need this—as well as to act for Thee. “So will we render the calves of our lips” (vs. 2).
All is judged now aright; because self is judged before the God who brings them near Him. Their repentance is genuine and the fruit of grace. “Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses” (vs. 3). All their vain resources are now and forever abandoned. “Neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy” (vs. 3). Idolatry had been the inlet of all mischief at home, as well as the outlet to pride in the world. Then comes Jehovah’s answer from verse 4: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon” (vss. 4-5). What mercy in the face of wayward inconstancy and hearts only firm in rebellion! What tender love as well as mercy! Love free and full whose motive is in God Himself, who once smote His people in anger, but now will be as the dew to them so long without one drop of moisture to refresh them! How will not Israel then flourish! As the lily for form and graceful elegance; as Lebanon for stability; as the unfading olive for beauty (no longer under the morning cloud), and with the fragrance of Lebanon. “They that dwell under His shade shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine; the scent as the vine of Lebanon” (vs. 7). What will the receiving back of Israel be to all the world but life from the dead?
Communion With the Lord Their God
True and faithful is the sovereign grace of God. It is not salvation in the meager sense that the Jews will be screened from deserved destruction. If Jehovah saves, He will do it evermore for earth or heaven in a way that is worthy of Himself. “Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir-tree. From Me is thy fruit found” (vs. 8). It appears to be a conversation between Ephraim and Jehovah. “Ephraim [shall say], “What have I to do any more with idols?” (vs. 8). To this Jehovah answers, “I Myself have heard and observed him.” Thereon Ephraim replies, “I am like a green fir tree” (vs. 8); to which Jehovah rejoins, “From Me is thy fruit found” (vs. 8). What a blessed change for Ephraim! and what communion with their God!
The whole of this terse prophecy ends with the searching question of the closing verse—“Who is wise, that he may understand these things? intelligent, that he may know them? for the ways of Jehovah are right, and the transgressors shall stumble thereon” (vs. 9). May this wisdom be given to us, that we too may understand Himself and His ways! “He that doeth the will of God abideth forever”; and this being the desire, he “shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.” (John 7:1717If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17)). “None of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Dan. 12:1010Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. (Daniel 12:10)).