Hosea 2:9 Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof… Two subjects for reflection; the goodness of God, and the wickedness of man. The Jews were fair specimens of human nature. I. THE SOURCE OF OUR MERCIES. "I gave her." Here we do not refer to those blessings which we call spiritual. We speak of temporal good things. "He giveth us richly all things to enjoy." Never suffer instruments to keep your thoughts from God. 1. Unconscious instrumentality. This takes in what we call nature. 2. Voluntary instrumentality. Our fellow-creatures may do us good in a thousand ways. They act knowingly and freely in relieving us, and display the noblest principles of their nature. But here God has higher claims; for who placed these friends and benefactors in our way? 3. Personal instrumentality. Few of the good things of life are obtained without some exertions of our own. Indeed, if they were, they would not be half so sweet. But from whom have we derived our natural talents? Whose providence fixed us in a situation favourable to our efforts? II. OUR GUILT IN THE USE OF OUR MERCIES. Here are two charges. 1. Ignorance. God does much more good in the world than is ever known. He has done us all countless acts of kindness of which we have never been aware. There are two kinds of knowledge, speculative and practical. The former is nothing without the latter; it is no better than ignorance. 2. Perversion. Instead of using God's gifts in the service and for the glory of God, we appropriate them to the use of idols. This is worse than the former, as indifference is exceeded by insult. What would you feel more provoking than for a man to borrow of you, in order to publish a libel upon your character? Is not God perpetually thus affronted and dishonoured? III. THE REMOVAL. "Take away My corn," etc. 1. We see how precarious everything earthly is. 2. God withdraws our comforts as well as gives them. 3. God does not relinquish His propriety in any of His blessings when He bestows them. Still they are His. When He comes for them He comes but to resume. 4. He often removes our blessings and comforts when they seem most attractive and most necessary, when their loss is least expected, and we are rejoicing to see them flourish. 5. God does not deprive us of our enjoyments without a cause. It is our non-improvement, it is our abuse of our mercies that endangers them. 6. His conduct, in the removal of our joys, looks forward as well as backward. He punishes, not for our destruction but advantage, and the very consequences of sin are made to cure. While this subject leads us to magnify the Lord, it should afford instruction and encouragement to those who are afflicted. No affliction will ever do us good unless it excite in us both fear and hope. The day of trouble is a period peculiarly eventful and important. Salvation or destruction may hinge upon it. (William Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. |
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