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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Hosea 14:4–7. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We have here an answer of peace to the prayers of returning Israel. They seek God's face, and they shall not seek in vain. God will be sure to meet those in a way of mercy who return to him in a way of duty. If we speak to God in good prayers, God will speak to us in good promises, as he answered the angel with good words and comfortable words, Zac 1:13. If we take with us the foregoing words in our coming to God, we may take home with us these following words for our faith to feast upon; and see how these answer those.
I.Do they dread and deprecate God's displeasure, and therefore return to him? He assures them that, upon their submission, his anger is turned away from them. This is laid as the ground of all the other favours here promised. I will do so and so, for my anger is turned away, and thereby a door is opened for all good to flow to them, Isa 12:1. Note, Though God is justly and greatly angry with sinners, yet he is not implacable in his anger; it may be turned away; it shall be turned away, from those that turn away from their iniquity. God will be reconciled to those that are reconciled to him and to his whole will.
II.Do they pray for the taking away of iniquity? He assures them that he will heal their backslidings; so he promised, Jer 3:22.
Note, Though backslidings from God are the dangerous diseases and wounds of the soul, yet they are not incurable, for God has graciously promised that if backsliding sinners will apply to him as their physician, and comply with his methods, he will heal their backslidings. He will heal the guilt of their backslidings by pardoning mercy and their bent to backslide by renewing grace. Their iniquity shall not be their ruin.
III.Do they pray that God will receive them graciously? In answer to that, behold, it is promised, I will love them freely.
God had hated them while they went on sin (Hos 9:15); but now that they return and repent he loves them, not only ceases to be angry with them, but takes complacency in them and designs their good. He loves them freely, with an absolute entire love (so some), so that there are no remains of his former displeasure, with a liberal bountiful love (so others); he will be open-handed in his love to them, and will think nothing too much to bestow upon them or to do for them. Or with a cheerful willing love; he will love them without reluctancy or renitency. He will not say in the day of thy repentance, How shall I receive thee again? as he said in the day of thy apostasy, How shall I give thee up? Or with an unmerited preventing love. Whom God loves he loves freely, not because they deserve it, but of his own good pleasure. He loves because he will love, Deut, Hos 7:7, Hos 7:8.
IV.Do they pray that God will give good, will make them good? In answer to that, behold, it is promised, I will be as the dew unto Israel, Hos 14:5. Observe,
1.What shall be the favour God will bestow upon them. It is the blessing of their father Jacob, God give thee the dew of heaven, Gen 27:28. Nay, what they need God will not only give them, but he will himself be that to them, all that which they need: I will be as the dew unto Israel. This ensures spiritual blessings in heavenly things; and it follows upon the healing of their backslidings, for pardoning mercy is always accompanied with renewing grace. Note, To Israelites indeed God himself will be as the dew. He will instruct them; his doctrine shall drop upon them as the dew, Deu 32:2. They shall know more and more of him, for he will come to them as the rain, Hos 6:3. He will refresh them with his comforts, so that their souls shall be as a watered garden, Isa 58:11. He will be to true penitents as the dew to Israel when they were in the wilderness, dew that had manna in it, Exo 16:14; Num 11:9. The graces of the Spirit are the hidden manna, hidden in the dew; God will give them bread from heaven, as he did to Israel in the dew in abundance, Joh 1:16.
2.What shall be the fruit of that favour which shall be produced in them. The grace thus freely bestowed on them shall not be in vain. Those souls, those Israelites, to whom God is as the dew, on whom his grace distils,
(1.)Shall be growing. The bad being by the grace of God made good, they shall by the same grace be made better; for grace, wherever it is true, is growing.
[1.]They shall grow upwards, and be more flourishing, shall grow as the lily, or (as some read it) shall blossom as the rose. The growth of the lily, as that of all bulbous roots, is very quick and speedy. The root of the lily seems lost in the ground all winter, but, when it is refreshed with the dews of the spring, it starts up in a little time; so the grace of God improves young converts sometimes very fast. The lily, when it has come to its height, is a lovely flower (Mat 6:29), so grace is the comeliness of the soul, Eze 16:14. it is the beauty of holiness that is produced by the dew of the morning, Psa 110:3.
[2.]They shall grow downwards, and be more firm. The lily indeed grows fast, and grows fine, but it soon fades and is easily plucked up; and therefore it is here promised to Israel that with the flower of the lily he shall have the root of the cedar: He shall cast forth his roots as Lebanon, as the trees of Lebanon, which, having taken deep root, cannot be plucked up, Amo 9:15. Note, Spiritual growth consists most in the growth of the root, which is out of sight. The more we depend upon Christ and draw sap and virtue from him, the more we act in religion from a principle and the more steadfast and resolved we are in it, the more we cast forth our roots.
[3.]They shall grow round about (Hos 14:6): His branches shall spread on all sides. And (Hos 14:7) he shall grow as the vine, whose branches extend furthest of any tree. Joseph was to be a fruitful bough, Gen 49:22. When many are added to the church from without, when a hopeful generation rises up, then Israel's branches spread. When particular believers abound in good works, and increase in the knowledge of God and in every good gift, then their branches may be said to spread. The inward man is renewed day by day.
(2.)They shall be graceful and acceptable both to God and man. Grace is the amiable thing, and makes those that have it truly amiable. They are here compared to such trees as are pleasant,
[1.]To the sight: His beauty shall be as the olive-tree, which is always green. The Lord called thy name a green olive-tree, Jer 11:16. Ordinances are the beauty of the church, and in them it is, and shall be, ever green. Holiness is the beauty of a soul; when those that believe with the heart make profession with the mouth, and justify and adorn that profession with an agreeable conversation, then their beauty is as the olive-tree, Psa 52:8. It is a promise to the trees of righteousness that their leaf shall not wither.
[2.]To the smell: His smell shall be as Lebanon (Hos 14:6) and his scent as the wine of Lebanon, Hos 14:7. This was the praise of their father Jacob, The smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed, Gen 27:27. The church is compared to a garden of spices (Sol 4:12, Sol 4:14), which all her garments smell of. True believers are acceptable to God and approved of men. God smells a sweet savour from their spiritual sacrifices (Gen 8:21), and they are accepted of the multitude of the brethren. Grace is the perfume of the soul, the perfume of the name, makes it like a precious ointment, Ecc 7:1. The memorial thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon (so the margin reads it), not only their reviving comforts now, but their surviving honours when they are gone, shall be as the wine of Lebanon, that has a delicate flavour. Flourishing churches have their faith spoken of throughout the world (Rom 1:8) and leave their name to be remembered (Psa 45:17); and the memory of flourishing saints is blessed, and shall be so, as theirs who by faith obtained a good report.
(3.)They shall be fruitful and useful. The church is compared here to the vine and the olive, which brings forth useful fruits, to the honour of God and man. Nay, the very shadow of the church shall be agreeable (Hos 14:7): Those that dwell under his shadow shall return - under God's shadow (so some), under the shadow of the Messias, so the Chaldee. Believers dwell under God's shadow (Psa 91:1), and there they are and may be safe and easy. But it is rather under the shadow of Israel, under the shadow of the church. Note, God's promises pertain to those, and those only, that dwell under the church's shadow, that attend on God's ordinances and adhere to his people, not those that flee to that shadow only for shelter in a hot gleam, but those that dwell under it. Psa 27:4. We may apply it to particular believers; when a man is effectually brought home to God all that dwell under his shadow - children, servants, subjects, friends. This day has salvation come to this house. Those that dwell under the shadow of the church shall return; their drooping spirits shall return, and they shall be refreshed and comforted. He restores my soul, Psa 23:3. They shall revive as the corn, which, when it is sown, dies first, and then revives, and brings forth much fruit, Joh 12:24. It is promised that God's people shall be blessings to the world, as corn and wine are. And a very great and valuable mercy it is to be serviceable to our generation. Comfort and honour attend it.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
"Turn back, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, 'Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.'" LXX: "Convert, O Israel, to the Lord your God, because you have been weakened by your iniquities: Take with you words, and return to the Lord, say to him, 'Take away all iniquity, and receive what is good, and we will render the calves of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses, neither will we say any more: you are our gods; for the fatherless finds mercy in you.'" As Samaria was perishing. "And men, women, and children having been killed, slaughtered, and torn apart, Israel as a whole is provoked to repentance so that he who is sick or has fallen in his iniquities may return to the doctor and receive health, or he who has fallen may begin to stand up again; and it is taught how one should do penance. 'Take with you words,' that is to say, prayers and confession of sins, and turn to the Lord both in words and in works; and say to Him: 'Take away all iniquity,' leave nothing of our weakness and former ruin, lest again the evil seed bring forth live plants. And He says, 'Accept the good': For if You do not take away our evils, we cannot have anything good to offer You, according to what is written elsewhere: 'Turn away from evil and do good, and we will offer You the calves of our lips.'" (Psalm 36:27) For the calves which in Hebrew are called Pharim, the Septuagint translated "fruit" as Pheri, by a similarity of false speech. But the calves of our lips are praises to God and thanksgiving: "For a contrite spirit is a sacrifice to God" (Ps. L, 19). Therefore, with carnal victims now rejected, a pure confession is a placable sacrifice to God. Those who say they will offer calves of their lips and sing God's praises with their voice, also promise that they will not have hope in Assyria or trust in Egyptian horses, because the deceitful horse does not bring salvation (Psal. XXXII), and that they will not worship the golden calves that they made in Dan and Bethel with their own hands and, therefore, they say: "We will not say the work of our hands are our gods, for you will have mercy upon him who is your pupil (or people)," that is, the people of Israel, of whom you said: "My firstborn son is Israel" (Exod. IV, 22). "And: "I have brought up and exalted sons, but they despised me". And in another place: "Alien children have lied to me". But he is called an orphan because he has lost his father to God. However, some exposed the orphan who had left the evil father, the devil, and therefore was helped by the mercy of God. Also, the prophet speaks on a daily basis to all perverse dogma and provokes his followers to repentance, saying: Turn to your Lord God, who have fallen, or lost, the health of the Lord. Take with you words and confess the true faith: "For" ((or rather which)) with the heart it is believed unto justice, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. X). Calves and sacrifices, or the fruits of lips, are to believe in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and in the passion and resurrection of the Lord; whoever offers it to Him will by no means hope in the king of Assyria, of whom we have often spoken. Nor will he ascend the horse which the Lord forbids to be multiplied (Deut. XVII), as did Pharaoh who was submerged with his cavalry (Exod. XIV). For every heretic mounts horses in pride, which he himself has generated in his error. And they shall no more say: Our gods, the works of our hands, which beareth the eloquence of the craftsman is our god. The belly is the god of the glutton: and the glory of mammon is the god of the covetous, and the dogma of the heretic, which he hath forged. He that shall forsake all these, namely, Assur and the horse, and shall flee to the Lord, shall be taken care of, and shall have mercy on him.
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Summary
Hosea 14:4 presents a powerful divine promise of restoration and unconditional love to a repentant Israel. Following chapters detailing the nation's spiritual apostasy and the consequences of divine judgment, this verse marks a profound shift, revealing God's compassionate heart. It declares His intent to heal their spiritual wounds, lavish them with unmerited love, and signifies the cessation of His righteous anger, thereby establishing a path to full reconciliation and renewed fellowship.
Context
Literary Context
Hosea 14 serves as the climactic and hopeful conclusion to the book of Hosea, which has predominantly focused on Israel's spiritual adultery, idolatry, and the resulting divine judgment. The preceding chapters meticulously detail the covenant violations and the impending consequences. However, Hosea 14:1-3 issues a fervent call for Israel to return to the Lord, confessing their sins and seeking His mercy. Hosea 14:4 is God's immediate and gracious response to this anticipated repentance, articulating the profound healing and reconciliation He desires to bestow. This verse acts as the divine answer to the human plea, showcasing God's persistent desire for His people's restoration despite their persistent unfaithfulness.
Historical & Cultural Context
The book of Hosea prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria), roughly 750-715 BC, leading up to its fall to Assyria in 722 BC. This period was marked by political instability, moral decay, and rampant syncretism, where the worship of Yahweh was blended with Baal worship and other pagan practices. The people had forsaken their covenant obligations, pursuing alliances with foreign nations rather than trusting in God, and engaging in social injustice. The "backsliding" mentioned in Hosea 14:4 directly refers to this historical pattern of apostasy and turning away from the Lord, despite His unwavering covenant faithfulness.
Key Themes
Hosea 14:4 encapsulates several overarching themes of the book of Hosea and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of Divine Love and Faithfulness, portrayed through God's persistent pursuit of His unfaithful bride, Israel, even to the point of judgment, always with a view towards restoration. This verse highlights God's Sovereignty in Restoration, demonstrating that healing and reconciliation are initiated by His grace, not solely earned by human effort. It also underscores the theme of Repentance and Forgiveness, showing that genuine turning to God elicits a divine response of mercy and the turning away of wrath, a concept echoed in Isaiah 12:1. Finally, the promise of "healing their backsliding" speaks to Spiritual Renewal and Transformation, a deep work of God to mend the brokenness caused by sin, leading to a renewed relationship, as envisioned in passages like Ezekiel 36:26-27.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root means "to mend (by stitching)" or "to cure." Figuratively, it denotes a comprehensive process of restoration, making whole, or repairing. In this context, it signifies God's active intervention to mend the spiritual brokenness and moral decay that resulted from Israel's apostasy, implying not just forgiveness but a deep, restorative work on their spiritual condition.
Derived from the root "to turn back," this noun specifically refers to apostasy or a turning away from God. It describes Israel's persistent pattern of spiritual unfaithfulness, deviation from the covenant, and pursuit of idolatry. God's promise to "heal their backsliding" addresses the very root cause of their spiritual sickness and estrangement.
This word conveys spontaneity, voluntariness, and generosity. It implies that God's love is not coerced, earned, or conditional upon Israel's prior merit or performance. Rather, it flows from His inherent benevolent nature, given without expectation of payment or compulsion, emphasizing the unmerited and abundant nature of divine grace.
Verse Breakdown
"I will heal their backsliding"
This opening clause signifies God's divine initiative and compassionate intent. "Backsliding" refers to Israel's spiritual apostasy and turning away from God. The promise to "heal" indicates a profound spiritual restoration, not merely forgiveness of sins, but a mending of the spiritual wounds and inclinations that led them astray. It speaks to a complete renewal of their relationship with Him, addressing the root cause of their unfaithfulness.
"I will love them freely"
This phrase emphasizes the unmerited, spontaneous, and unconditional nature of God's affection. The term "freely" (Hebrew, nᵉdâbâh) underscores that this love is not contingent upon their perfect obedience or earned merit, but flows from God's intrinsic character of generosity and benevolence. It highlights the gratuitous and abundant nature of divine grace, offered without compulsion or expectation of payment.
"for mine anger is turned away from him"
This concluding clause provides the profound reason and assurance for God's gracious actions. The divine wrath, which was a just and necessary response to Israel's persistent sin and covenant breaking, has now subsided or been removed. This turning away of anger is a consequence of their repentance (as encouraged in the preceding verses) and God's boundless mercy, signifying a complete cessation of hostility and the establishment of peace and reconciliation.
Literary Devices
Hosea 14:4 employs several powerful literary devices. Metaphor is evident in the phrase "I will heal their backsliding," where "backsliding" is implicitly treated as a spiritual wound or sickness that requires divine intervention to mend and make whole. This highlights the restorative power of God. The verse also showcases Divine Pathos, revealing God's deep emotional engagement with His people, moving from righteous anger to boundless love and compassion. The declaration "I will love them freely" underscores the Divine Initiative, emphasizing that God's actions are not reactive to human perfection but originate from His sovereign will and character. Finally, the structure of the verse, particularly the "for" clause, functions as a Cause and Effect statement, where the turning away of divine anger is the underlying reason enabling God's healing and free love, establishing a clear theological progression.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Hosea 14:4 stands as a profound testament to God's enduring covenant faithfulness and His boundless capacity for mercy and restoration. It articulates a core theological truth: God's ultimate desire is not judgment, but reconciliation, even with those who have repeatedly rebelled. This verse beautifully illustrates the concept of unmerited grace, where God's love is freely given, not earned, and His healing power extends to the deepest spiritual wounds. It paints a picture of a God who actively seeks to restore His relationship with His people, turning away His just wrath in response to their return, demonstrating that divine love triumphs over human sin and provides a pathway to renewed life and fellowship.
Reflection and Application
Hosea 14:4 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to humility for believers today. It assures us that no matter how far we may have strayed from God, or how deeply we have "backslid" into patterns of sin and disobedience, His heart remains inclined towards healing and restoration. His love is truly unconditional, not dependent on our perfect performance or flawless obedience, but freely given out of His abundant grace. This verse encourages us to confront our own spiritual wanderings with honesty, knowing that genuine repentance is met not with condemnation, but with a divine embrace of forgiveness and renewal. It challenges us to embrace God's love as a free gift, liberating us from the burden of performance-based religion and inviting us into a relationship founded on His unwavering faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How does God's 'free' love relate to human repentance?
God's "free" love, as described in Hosea 14:4, signifies that His love is unmerited, spontaneous, and not contingent upon human performance. It is a love that flows from His very nature and is offered without compulsion or expectation of payment. While this love is freely given, the context of Hosea 14 (specifically Hosea 14:1-3) indicates that it is in response to Israel's repentance and turning back to Him. Therefore, God's free love does not negate the need for repentance; rather, it is the gracious foundation that makes repentance meaningful and effective. It assures the repentant heart that their turning will be met with divine welcome, healing, and the turning away of anger, rather than further judgment. Repentance is the human act of aligning with God's desire for reconciliation, which His free love has already provided the pathway for.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Hosea 14:4 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The promise, "I will heal their backsliding," is perfectly embodied in Christ, who is the Great Physician, not merely mending spiritual wounds but offering complete spiritual regeneration and a new heart through His atoning work (compare Ezekiel 36:26-27). His life, death, and resurrection are the supreme demonstration of God's declaration, "I will love them freely." As Romans 5:8 powerfully states, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This love was not earned but was a spontaneous, unmerited gift of grace, freely extended to humanity. Furthermore, the declaration "for mine anger is turned away from him" finds its definitive resolution at the cross. Through Christ's sacrifice, the righteous wrath of God against sin was fully propitiated, allowing for reconciliation and peace between a holy God and sinful humanity (as seen in Colossians 1:19-20). Thus, Hosea 14:4 is not merely a historical promise to Israel but a prophetic unveiling of the redemptive work of Jesus, through whom all believers experience divine healing, unconditional love, and the turning away of God's just anger.