Hosea 4

Hosea 4:1

COntroversie] Isaiah 3:13. Jeremiah 25:31. Hosea 12:2. Mic. 6. 2. Because the people would not obey the admonitions of the Prophet, he citeth them before the judgementseat of God, against whom they chiefly offended, Isaiah 7:13. Mic. 6. 1, 2. Zac 12:10.

Hosea 4:2

bloud toucheth bloud] Heb. blouds. In every place appeareth a libertie to most hainous vices, so that one followeth in the neck of another.

Hosea 4:3

the land mourn] A description of an extreame and universall desolation. as Jeremiah 4:25. & Jeremiah 12:4.

Hosea 4:4

Yet let no man strive] Notwithstanding these great and publike sinnes, in which the false prophets do flatter and sooth up the people, let not the true Prophets profane my word, by speaking it to these obstinate and hardened rebels. I will contend with them by effects, and punishments, and no more by words and reproofs. So this agreeth very well with what was spoken, vers. 1. See Genesis 6:3.

strive with the priest] That undertake to withstand Gods right, which the high-priest declareth unto them, Deuteronomy 17:12. which is the last degree of boldnesse. See Romans 2:8. & Romans 10:21.

Hosea 4:5

shalt thou fall] He directeth his speech to each particular person among the people.

in the day] These words, in the day, and in the night, do seem to intimate a continuation of ruine. Others translate it, to day: that is to say, within a short time.

the prophet also shall fall] Namely, all the false prophets.

destroy] Heb. cut off.

thy mother] All the whole body of the kingdome and nation.

Hosea 4:6

destroyed] Heb. cut off.

for lack of knowledge] For of themselves they have no lively light of my word, and they will voluntarily put out that which I present unto them, and refuse all manner of instruction. Isaiah 5:13.

hast rejected knowledge] This seems to be specially directed to the priests, and other Ecclesiasticall persons, whose chief dutie is to teach and instruct. See Deuteronomy 33. 3. 10. Malachi 2:7.

Hosea 4:7

were increased] Namely, in dignitie and authoritie: for this is also referred to the pastours.

will I change their glory into shame] Philippians 3:19.

Hosea 4:8

They eat up] They fatten themselves with the sacrifices which my people offer for their sinnes, and are greedy after them, and take no care of their conversion.

set their heart on their iniquitie] Heb. lift up their soul to their iniquitie.

Hosea 4:9

like people] Isaiah 24:2. Signifying, that as they have sinned together, so shall they be punished together, without any difference or respect had of their office.

punish them] Heb. visit upon.

reward them their doings] Heb. cause to return.

Hosea 4:10

For they shall eat] Leviticus 26:26. Hag. 1. 6.

commit whoredome] Shewing, that their wickednesse shall be punished on all sorts: for though they thinke by the multitude of wives to have many children, yet they shall be deceived of their hope.

Hosea 4:11

Whoredome] In giving themselves to pleasure they become like brute beasts.

Hosea 4:12

My people] Thus he speaketh by derision in calling them his people, which now for their sinnes they were not.

ask counsell] In stead of seeking after Gods oracle to have counsell given them in difficult cases.

their stocks] Namely, their idols made of wood.

their staff declareth unto them] Some think he hath relation to an ancient manner of divining by staves and rods. Others hold that here are meant the rods of the Soothsayers and Magicians; as Exodus 7:12.

the spirit of whoredomes] Namely, the inclination and affection unto idolatry, kindled in the heart of man by the evill spirit. See Isaiah 44:20.

Hosea 4:13

They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains] Isaiah 1:29. & Isaiah 57:5. 7. Ezekiel 6:13.

your daughters shall commit whoredome] Because they take away Gods honour, and give it to idols, therefore he will give them p to their lusts, that they shall dishonour their owne bodies, Romans 1:28. See Amos 7:17.

Hosea 4:14

I will not punish your daughters] Or, shall I not, &c. I will not punish the shamefull sinnes in your daughters and wives, but let them run headlong in those bad courses.

separated with whores] From m: cutting themselves off from my covenant and communion, by joyning themselves to harlots which were excommunicate from amongst Gods people, Proverbs 2:16. & Proverbs 6:24. See of this separation Proverbs 18:1. Ezekiel 14:7. Hosea 9:10. Jude 1:19.

fall] Or, be punished.

Hosea 4:15

let not Judah offend] God turneth his speech to Judah, willing them that by the example of Israel they doe not sinne, by whoredomes, in worshipping Idols.

Gilgal] In this place, whereof see Joshua 5:9. there was some publike idolatry not mentioned in the history. See Hosea 9:15. & Hosea 12:12. Amos 4:4.

Beth-aven] 1 Kings 12:29. It is the same as Bethel: but because Bethel signifies the house of God, Genesis 28:17. and that this place had been profaned by the idolatry of the calves; the Prophets do often call it Beth-aven: that is to say, the house of an idoll, or the house of vanity, Hosea 5:8. and Hosea 10:5. because that neer unto Bethel there was another high place called Beth-aven, Joshua 7:2.

the LORD liveth] After the manner of idolaters, who pretended they did sweare by the true God, when they swore by these calves, Amos 8:14. for the ten tribes did professe that they worshipped God in them, imitating Aaron, Exodus 32:5. 2 Kings 10:16. which notwithstanding was reproved by God.

Hosea 4:16

For Israel slideth back] Deuteronomy 32:15. Zac 7:11.

a lambe] Seeing they have been so rebellious, and have loved liberty so well, I will grant it them, but to their ruine; like to the liberty of a lambe in the wildernesse, where it would be exposed to a thousand dangers and miseries. Unlesse he threaten them with the desolation of the countrey, and with the small number which should remain in it.

Hosea 4:17

Ephraim is joyned to idols] The ten tribes, called by the name of the chiefe tribe.

let him alone] That is, thou Judah, or every beleever have nothing to doe with him: by conference of verse 15. Others say, such as are good among them, let them be separated from him to Judah, or some other faithfull, 2 Corinthians 6:17.

Hosea 4:18

is sowre] Heb. is gone. A proverbiall speech, to set out the corruption of the people in the whole service of God, Psalms 14:3. Isaiah 1:22.

rulers] Heb. shields. The heads of the people who should protect them, spoile them, Psalms 47:9.

Give ye] They are so impudent in receiving bribes, that they will command men to bring them unto them: and so the rulers base coveting of presents disgraceth all the government, Micah 7:3.

Hosea 4:19

bound her up in her wings] To carry them suddenly away as it were by a strong puffe of wind or a storm.

be ashamed because of their sacrifices] Seeing themselves falne from the hope which they had conceived, and deceived in the trust which they had put in them. Or, they shall be disgraced: that is to say, they shall fall into extreame misery and ignominy, through their idolatries, Jeremiah 2:27.