Hosea 14:8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree… Whatever we set our affections upon, in preference to God, is an idol; and grace will teach us to renounce it. Every man in an impenitent state seeks his happiness in some forbidden and sinful enjoyment. He is therefore an idolater. We have here — I. A CONFESSION OF GUILT. "Any more" implies that in the past he had been concerned with idols. II. A DETERMINATION TO RENOUNCE SINS. Implied in the language taken form as an interrogation. III. THE DETERMINATION IS A HUMBLE ONE, FORMED IN RELIANCE ON GOD'S HEAVENLY GRACE. Reasons for renunciation of sin are — 1. Penitent sees something of the real nature and evil of it. 2. Penitent has had experience of the vanity and unprofitableness of all sinful pleasures and pursuits. 3. Penitent has already experienced some, and expects more of, solid and permanent happiness. 4. A principle of love and gratitude to God in the penitent's heart cannot but operate to make him abhor and renounce all iniquity. 5. Every true penitent has the strongest reason to express and maintain the most determined disavowal of all iniquity, in consequence of having surrendered himself to God, and in solemn covenant devoted himself to His service. And this is true religion. This is genuine repentance. All that comes short of this is but vanity and deception. (S. Knight, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. |
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