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Note -

I. THE CONDITION CONTEMPLATED. It meant:

1. No longer held back from sin. "Their own hearts' lust" was to lead them now.

2. No longer urged to goodness.

3. The Spirit no longer striving with them.

4. Divine chastisements abandoned. (Cf. Isaiah 1:5.) See the history of Israel for proof of all this. And it is true still, when a soul is "given up" by God - when even his resources seem exhausted.

II. ITS TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES,

1. They are often naturally visible. A God-forsaken people, Church, soul, can be readily recognized. Disaster, defeat, shame, weakness, death, - these are some of the outward signs.

2. They are felt within. (See the history of Saul, 1 Samuel 28:6.) Ah! the inward misery of the soul given up of God.

III. THE INVARIABLE CAUSE. (Hosea 4:17; and see text.)

1. They would not hearken to God's voice. Neither by his messengers, nor through conscience, nor in providence.

2. They would have none of God. They cared neither for his favour nor for his frown.

IV. THE DIVINE RELUCTANCE TO THUS DEAL WITH THEM. (Ver. 13; Hosea 11:8; Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34.) - S.C.

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KJV: But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

WEB: But my people didn't listen to my voice. Israel desired none of me.