Hosea 2:10-13 And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of my hand.… Israel's punishment, while retributive, was reformatory. It is equally true that, while reformatory, it was retributive. It repaid Israel for her sins. It vindicated righteousness. All earthly punishments have this double character. The following principles come to light in the passage: - I. SIN ENDS IN THE FULL REVELATION OF ITS HIDEOUSNESS. (Ver. 10.) At first its true nature is concealed. It comes with fair appearances; it decks itself in festal garments (ver. 13); it makes large promises. Only at a later period is the mask stripped off, and it appears in its full hideousness. Such a day of revelation will come for every sinner. He will find himself put to shame even in the eyes of those whom he sought to serve. How loathsome even the body can become when sin has wrought its work in it (the drunkard, the harlot)! How much more the soul! Every rag of deceptive appearance will yet be stripped off, and the foul, abhorrent spectacle of depravity exposed to the whole universe. II. SIN ENDS IN THE DYING OUT OF JOY. "I will also cause all her mirth to cease" (ver. 11). This is literally true, even in the present life. After a time, sin ceases to yield the pleasures which at first were found in it. The very capacity for joy dies out. The debauchee, the fortune-hunter, the slaves of fashion, the victims of ambition, know this well. III. SIN ENDS IN THE WITHDRAWAL OF ABUSED PRIVILEGES. (Ver. 11.) The feast days, new moons, sabbaths, and other festivals, which Israel had turned into days of unholy carnival, would be taken from her. They were given her for different ends, and she had abused them. We cannot hope to reject God and yet retain unimpaired our religious liberties, opportunities, and blessings; e.g. our sabbaths. These will vanish with our regard for the Giver of them. IV. SIN ENDS IN THE REMOVAL OF NATURAL BLESSINGS. (Ver. 12.) Failing in the due acknowledgment of God in the reception of them, we may look for the withdrawal of these also. V. SIN ENDS IN POIGNANT MEMORIES OF AN EVIL PAST. "The days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself," etc. (ver. 13). The memory of past follies is no small part of the sinner's misery. "Son, remember" (Luke 16:25). - J.O. Parallel Verses KJV: And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand. |
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