Chapter 14

1 An exhortation to repentance. 4 A promise of God’s blessing.

1. Return. Chapter 14 is a fitting climax to the message of Hosea. The prophet makes one last appeal to his people to forsake their iniquity and turn to the Lord. It was not yet too late. But the day of opportunity was fast slipping away. The war clouds were darkening on the eastern horizon. Assyria was at the zenith of its power and its imperialistic ambitions were soon to engulf the idol-mad, vice-intoxicated nation of Israel. Inasmuch as the prophetic ministry of Hosea extended to the reign of Hezekiah (ch. 1:1) and the fall of Samaria came in the 6th year of that king’s reign (2 Kings 18:9, 10), it is possible that this final message was delivered shortly before the final day of doom. Since the individual messages of the book are not dated, it is impossible to fix precisely the exact dates of the various messages.

Thou hast fallen. Literally, “thou hast stumbled.”

2. Take with you. Probably an allusion to the requirement of the Mosaic law that “none shall appear before me empty” (Ex. 23:15). The people might have expected that as an accompaniment of their return the Lord would require animal sacrifices or material gifts. But the prophet calls for neither of these. A simple plea for mercy accompanied by heartfelt repentance and confession is all that the Lord requires (see on Ps. 32:1).

All iniquity. Sin thoroughly repented of can be freely forgiven. Once forgiven it is no longer reckoned to the sinner’s account (see on Ps. 32:2).

Receive us graciously. Literally, “receive thou good,” probably a petition for God to accept as “good” the confession of the penitent.

Calves. Heb. parim, “young bulls.” The dropping of one consonant gives the reading “fruit.” This reading has the support of the LXX and the Syriac and fits well into the context. If parim is retained, the meaning seems to be that as sacrificial bulls the people offer their lips. There is a possible allusion to Hosea 14:2 in Heb. 13:15 in the phrase “the fruit of our lips.” However, the phrase shows agreement with the LXX rather than with the Hebrew.

3. Asshur. That is, Assyria. The people make a pledge with regard to three of their outstanding sins. On expecting help from Assyria see chs. 5:13; 7:11. On trusting in the horses and chariots of Egypt see Hosea 7:11; cf. Isa. 31:1. On the sin of idolatry see Hosea 13:2; cf. Isa. 42:17.

4. I will heal. God responds to the penitential prayer. Backsliding is here regarded as a disease. Only the divine Physician can heal the maladies of the soul (see Jer. 8:22; Matt. 9:12).

Backsliding. Heb. meshubah, from the root shub, “to turn,” “to turn back,” hence, “backturning.”

Love them freely. When sins are forgiven and the righteousness of Christ covers the sinner, then, sinful though he may have been, he is accepted before God as if he had never sinned. His past record of sins is in no wise held against him, and God loves him as He loves His own Son (see SC 67).

5. As the dew. In lands where there is little rain, the dew helps to refresh the needy plants. Thus the dew becomes a symbol of fruitfulness and the absence of dew a symbol of drought and devastation. So God would become the source of Israel’s spiritual fruitfulness. As the dew comes night after night, so God day by day supplies grace sufficient for the day.

Grow as the lily. A figure suggesting such qualities as beauty, purity, perfume, and rapidity of growth (see Matt. 6:28, 29).

His roots. The roots of the lily are weak, and hence not a suitable figure of Ephraim’s promised stability.

As Lebanon. Either the cedars of Lebanon or the mountains of Lebanon. By a change of the Hebrew, reading libneh instead of lebanon, the RSV reads, “as a poplar.”

6. Branches. Heb. yoneqoth, “shoots.”

As the olive tree. Compare Jer. 11:16. The olive has been called the crown of the fruit trees of Palestine. It was especially valuable. Its oil was used as food and provided light. Its fruitage, so plentiful and useful, its green, so splendid, and its foliage, so enduringly fresh, provided a vivid picture of Ephraim’s glorious prospect.

7. His shadow. If Jehovah is still the speaker, this should read “my shadow” (see RSV), although such a translation involves a slight change of the Hebrew. On the other hand the prophet may here be speaking, in which case the change in person in accounted for.

Shall return. Ephraim might have realized the glorious prospect here portrayed. Through Hosea the Lord endeavored to make the outlook appear as appealing as possible in the hope that the invitation might not be refused. The appeal constitutes a fitting climax to the book.

As the corn. The clause reads literally, “they shall revive the grain.” The RSV translation, “they shall flourish as a garden,” is obtained by a slight change in the Hebrew word for “corn.” The LXX reads, “they shall be filled with grain.”

8. Shall say. These words are supplied. The Hebrew of the first sentence may be translated, “O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?” (RSV).

I have heard. The verb may be regarded as expressing repetitive action as might be expressed in the clause, “I am the one who hears.” The LXX has a different reading in this and the following clause, “I have afflicted him and I will strengthen him.”

Fir tree. Heb. berosh, probably the cypress. Some identify berosh with the Phoenician juniper.

9. Who is wise. Hosea closes his prophecy with the plea that his people give earnest attention to all the words the Lord has spoken through him. For a definition of true wisdom see on Prov. 1:2.

Shall walk in them. The issue was thus clearly placed before the Israelites. Two courses lay before them. They could either continue in their wicked ways and reap the inevitable results or they could turn wholeheartedly to God and obtain salvation. The Lord’s ways, being upright and unchangeable, will be accomplished despite what men might do (Mal. 3:6; James 1:17). If they are lost the blame will rest with them, for God has confronted them with every inducement to follow the way of right (Deut. 30:15–20).

Ellen G. White comments

1    GC 35

1, 2 PK 282

1–38T 277

1–8COL 218

2     2T 234

4     MYP 70; PK 84; 1T 143, 431, 656; 2T 303; 5T 104, 177; 8T 219

4–9PK 284; 8T 277

5     1T 31; SC 68

5, 7      COL 67; Ed 106; SC 67