Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. This is a further declaration of God's goodness to this people, and an upbraiding of them for their wickedness, when they have had so many means. 1. It is God who speaks by the prophets. Though the prophets and the messengers of God are mean, yet so long as they speak to you in His name, the authority of what they say is above any. They may be under their auditors in many ways, but the message they bring is above them; though they are weak, the power of God goes along with what they speak, to make it good. The Word does little good till men come to apprehend this, that it is God who speaks by His messengers. 2. It is a great mercy to a people for God to reveal His mind to them by His prophets. What would all the world be but as a dungeon of darkness, were it not for the prophets and ministers of God? 3. God will take account of what becomes of the word, labour, and pains of His prophets. So He here upbraids Ephraim with them. God will take account of all the spirits that His ministers spend, of every drop of their sweat, and of all their watchings in the night; I sent My prophets, rising early. God will take account of all, and you shall know that there has been a prophet among you; the ministers shall be brought out to say and testify, "Lord, I was in such a place, and I revealed Thy mind thus unto them; they could not but be convinced, and yet still they continued in their wickedness." (Jeremiah Burroughs.) Parallel Verses KJV: I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. |
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