Hosea 2:14-15 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her.… 1. How is this valley of Achor a door of hope to Israel? (1) Because it was the first place of which they took possession in Israel, and began to have outward means of subsistence, and to eat of the corn of the land. (2) God made their great trouble there a means of much good to them, for by that they were brought to purge their camp. 2. How was the valley of Achor to be a door of hope to Israel in after-times? The Jews think that Israel shall return into their own country again by the same way to Canaan, by that valley, which shall thus be a door of hope to them. As God turned this valley of trouble to .much good to them, so He would turn all the sore afflictions of Israel in after days to their great advantage, grievous afflictions which should make way for glorious mercies. Sin will make the pleasantest place in the world a place of trouble. When may we assure ourselves that our mercies are doors of hope to further mercies? 1. When they are wrought by the more immediate hand of God. 2. When they are spiritual mercies. 3. When mercies carry to us the God of mercy, and are turned into duties. (Jeremiah Burroughs.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.WEB: "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. |
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