Hosea 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for my anger is turned away from him. We observe God's acknowledgment or consideration of all the three points embraced in the supplication of the truly penitent. God healeth in four different ways, and each mode embraces all the others. 1. By a gracious pardon. 2. By a spiritual and effectual reformation, by enabling, us to walk in newness of life, by making us holy, even as He is holy. 3. By removing judgments which sin brought upon the sufferer, whether nationally or individually. 4. By comforting. This mode of restoring health to the soul is one of Christ's principal works. The Lord is very minute and distinct in marking every article in the penitent's prayer. Ephraim not only besought mercy to have all his iniquity taken away, but also that He who took away all sin, should, at the same time, receive good gifts in his behalf. Jehovah, accordingly, does not only promise, "I will heal their backsliding," but proceeds to say moreover, "I will love them freely." This is the fundamental principle of Gospel truth. Ephraim gave a reason for his entire dependence, henceforth and for ever, upon the Lord, which was, "For in Thee the fatherless findeth mercy." We can do nothing on our part to obtain the mercy vouchsafed unto us; for God said, "I will love them freely." It is out of man's power to deserve God's love. Another consideration must be borne in mind, not to incur God's wrath again. (Moses Margoliouth, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.WEB: "I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from him. |
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