Hosea 1:4 And the LORD said to him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel on the house of Jehu… The name signifies the "scattered of the Lord." Five reasons why the son of Hosea was to be called by this name. 1. That hereby God might show that He intended to avenge that blood which was shed in Jezreel. 2. To show that Israel had lost the honour of His name, and was no more Israel, but Jezreel. (Israel is one that prevails by the "strength of the Lord." Jezreel is one that is "scattered by the Lord.") 3. To show the way that God intended to bring judgment upon these ten tribes. 4. To note that the Lord would scatter them in that very place wherein they most gloried. ( says the Israelite army was defeated in the valley of Jezreel before Samaria was taken.) 5. The Lord would hereby show that He would turn these conceits and apprehensions that they might have of themselves quite the contrary way. I. WHAT IS THIS "BLOOD OF JEZREEL" THAT GOD WILL AVENGE? (2 Kings 9:10, 11). It was the blood of the house of Ahab. II. WHY WILL GOD "AVENGE THE BLOOD OF JEZREEL UPON THE HOUSE OF JEHU"? Because — 1. Jehu looked to his own ends, rather than to God. 2. Because he did his work but by halves. 3. Because be proved Ahab's successor in his idolatry.A man may do that which God commands, and yet not really obey God. And God knows how to make use of men's parts and abilities, and yet to punish them for their wickedness notwithstanding. III. WHY IS IT CALLED "THE HOUSE OF JEHU"? The house of Jehu is his posterity, or family, who were to succeed. The posterity of the ungodly shall suffer for their father's sin. Only the second commandment threatens the sin of the fathers upon the children. IV. WHAT IS THIS "LITTLE WHILE" GOD SPEAKS OF? It was a long time — three generations — before God came upon the house of Jehu, still He saith, yet but a little while, or, I will stay but a little longer, ere I avenge the blood of Jezreel. 1. God sometimes comes upon sinners for their sins. It is likely that these sins of Jehu were forgotten, 'yet God comes now at last to avenge the sins of Jehu upon his house. Youthful sins may prove to be the terror of age. 2. A long time after the flourishing of a nation God may reckon with it in ways of judgment. 3. Seventy-six years are but a little while in God's account. 4. The apprehension of a judgment just at hand is that which will stir the heart and work upon it most. 5. God suffers some sinners to continue long, others He cuts off speedily. (Jeremiah Burroughs.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. |
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