Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 10:12

12 Sow to your selves in righteousness , reap in mercy : break up your fallow ground : for it is time to seek the LORD till he come , and rain righteousness upon you .

The Prophet continueth his care of their welfare, by exhorting them yet at last to repent, which as learned interpreters observe, the Prophet doth here in the same elliptick speech which is used before these imperatives, and is to be made up thus, the Lord hath said by his Prophets, sow &c. this same duty hath been pressed on them formerly, and is again commended to them, sow in righteousness, in universal righteousness, towards God in piety, towards man in equity, and herein see that ye sow plentifully, that is, exercise your selves in these works.

This is refer'd both to the divine Mercy, and so amounteth to a promise, and to the mercy we should shew to man, and so is direction for another part of duty, both may well have place here.

Your hearts, O ye Ephraimites! have been, and still are, as ground over run with weeds, which needs be plowed and broken up, that good feed may be sowed in them, that you may bring forth fruit in holy life, from a holy heart, and obtain mercy of God.

It is full time if you consider it aright, or it is yet time, you may seek and find he is not quite gone, still he calls you, therefore hearken, and follow seasonable advice, seek ye the Lord whilst he may be found.

Seek with patience and faith until he doth, as certainly he will, come, for this passage is a vertual or implicite promise, that God will come to them if they seek him, i. e. he will bless, favour and love them, in these he will appear to them, which is his coming to them.

Plentifully pour out the fruits of his own goodness and mercy which he hath promised, and having promised, 'tis a righteous thing they should be given according to promise, thus the mercies of God to us are his righteousness to us.

Who repent and obey his counsel by his Prophets.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 4.3.