Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 7

1 WHen I would have healed Israel , then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered , and the wickedness of Samaria : for they commit falsehood : and the thief cometh in , and the troop of robbers spoileth without .

Whether this Chapter be a new Sermon, or a continuation of that begun chap. 6. we need not enquire, nor are there any particulars by which we can ghess at the time when this healing work was attempted, but so soon as 'twas endeavoured indefinitely 'tis spoken, and so to be interpreted

God doth assume the person of a Physitian or Chirurgion who compassionately endeavours to cure a people sick and wounded: Such was the house of Israel, the whole body of the people.

The hidden, old, and putrifying sores here called Iniquity, the impieties and injustice

Of Israel called Ephraim, or of Ephraim the chief Tribe of this revolting Kingdom, some would have it mean the Rulers, or principal men.

Broke out as many times in cures of old sores it happens, some deeper and more rooted Distemper unthought of by the Chyrurgion appears.

The great and many sins.

Samaria the Royal City of the Kingdom, where Citizens, Priests, Prophets and Courtiers as much outsin'd others as they exceeded them in wealth and ease.

Where lying and cousening each other is acted as if'twere a business they were bound to attend.

Secret thefts, or robbing others by subtle and undiscern'd methods.

And open violence by hands joyned to hands to spoil abroad. In a word, the strength and danger of their disease appears and increaseth more and more under endeavours to heal them.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 span]; Heb. [illegible: 1 span]

2 And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness : now their own doings have beset them about , they are before my face :

They who are thus greatly wicked, notorious sinners

Do not remember, nor will they once seriously ponder this.

That I see all they do, and remember all I see, and that with more than an idle unactive looking on, or retaining in memory, I look on, and remember to call them to account, and to punish for their sins. They wou'd flatter themselves into an opinion that I take no notice of their wickedness, and that I will never require it.

The guilt and punishment, the iniquity, and mischief of the works they have done, their own doings, not their Fathers as Hypocrites, and the incorrigible are ready to complain.

As Cords wrap one taken in them, or as an Enemy invests and besiegeth a Town on every side, so these profligate people, Courtiers, Priests, Prophets and Citizens are all held enclosed with their own sins.

What they have done I do see, and what they suffer I do see, and it is but just they should suffer what their sins deserve; they hoped for impunity, because they thought I did not regard, but now by a just punishment, by full measures of sorrows heapt upon them, they shall find all their wayes were under my eye, and that I weighed their doings.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 span]

3 They make the king glad with their wickedness , and the princes with their lies.

Either the Subjects in general, or rather the Courtiers in particular who were about the King.

The Kings of Israel every one of them, from first to last were addicted to vitious practices, and their minds were vitiated, deeply tainted with all kind of sins, and they it seems took pleasure in sins, both in their own and other mens, and here are a parcel of flagitious fellows that make it their work to invent pleasing wickedness, to acquaint their King with it, who is so far from doing his Duty in discountenancing it, that 'tis one of his delights to hear or see it.

Great men about the Court.

With false accusations brought in against the more Innocent, or by false reports made of their words and actions, representing them as ridiculous or foolish, drolling them into infamy.

4 They are all adulterers as an oven heated by the baker , who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough until it be leavened.

Both spiritually, and carnally, and this latter Adultery is that which here is charged on the Courtiers, and people of Israel.

This vice is grown raging hot among them as you see the fire in an Oven, when the Baker having called up those that make the bread, to prepare all things ready, and the whole Mass is leavened: He doth by continued supply of Fuel heat the Oven to the highest degree. So doth Adultery among this people grow by degrees to raging flames. The whole Mass of the people are leavened with this vice also, as well as the Court, and every one enflamed with this unclean fire, as the Oven heated by the Baker.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word] will [illegible: 1 word]; Or, [illegible: 1 word]

5 In the day of our king , the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine , he stretched out his hand with scorners .

Whether this day were any occasional day, that the King of Israel took to feast his Nobles as Ahasuerus did his; or whether the Anniversary of his Birth or Coronation, both which were usually celebrated, among most Nations, the Birthday especially. So Pharaoh, Gen. 40.20. and Herod, Mat. 14.6. whether of these we enquire not curiously.

Who attended on the King to witness their joy in the remembrance of that day which made the publick glad, so great a blessing was bestowed upon them, and to wish many such dayes unto their King and the Kingdom.

In their excess of drinking healths no doubt; instead of a pious and thankful remembrance of God's Mercies, they run into monstrous impieties of luxury and drunkenness, and with Bottles of Wine drank off probably at one draught, enflam'd themselves, and their King, and drink him almost to Death while they drink and wish his life.

In these drunken Feasts it seems the King of Israel forgat himself, became too familiar a Companion▪ and used the formalities of these drinking Matches, stretcht out his hand,

Who deride Religion, and wish confusion to the Professors of it.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 span].

6 For they have made ready their heart like an oven , whiles they ly in wait : their baker sleepeth all the night, in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire .

Surely.

Those Luxurious and Drinking Princes, ver. 5.

Do keep close some fire of Ambition, Revenge, or Covetousness, like as a Baker keeps a hot fire within his Oven.

Either against the Life or Estate of some of their fellow Subjects, or it may be as appears ver. 7. against the Life which they seem'd in their Cups to pray for.

He who should watch and prevent mischief, is swallowed up in the day with Feasting and Drunkenness, and sleeps in security all the night, never suspecting the projects of Conspirators.

But when he awakes too late, he seeth all in flames, and past quenching. Sedition and Rebellion is among these a sin as hateful to God, as dangerous to the publick; yet frequently acted by the Usurpers of those dissolute times.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]

7 They are all hot as an oven , and have devoured their judges : all their kings are fallen , there is none among them that calleth unto me .

See ver. 6. let. f.

In a larger, and more vulgar sense, the most, or almost all of them, few excepted.

See ver. 6. let. g.

As Fire destroys, so have these Conspirators, when successful, destroy'd.

Those that were Magistrates and Rulers, who having somewhat of Integrity, would not join with them, nor promote the Interest of Usurpers.

All that had been since Ieroboam the seconds Reign, to the delivery of this Prophecy, viz. Zechariah, Shallum, Pekahiah, Pekah; these four fell by the Conspiracy of such hot Princes, only Menahem died a Natural Death.

By Treason and Violence from such as would drink them sick with wishes of Health.

Not one of all these either fear'd, trusted, or worshipt God. By Profession all were Idolaters, in practice debauched, and by their Company they kept these latter Kings of Israel appear under a suspicion of men contemning God, and deriding Providence, but they are long since fallen, where they must lie for ever, under Gods Justice.

This verse is a Key to the former, and helps us to understand the true sense thereof.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]

8 Ephraim he hath mixed himself among the people : Ephraim is a cake not turned .

The Kingdom of Israel.

By Leagues and Commerce, by Imitation of their manners, and by either entertaining their Gods, and Sacrificing to them, or at least worshipping Idols as the Nations about them did; directly contrary to the express Law of God, Deut. 7.2, 3, 4. and 12.2, 3. this was their sin, and the greater because Voluntary; the expression seems to represent it as a thing of their own seeking, they did mix themselves with the Heathen, whereas had the Heathen sought it, 'twou'd in likelyhood have been said that the Nations mixed themselves with Ephraim; but this is in other words the same with chap. 2.5, 7. or this passage may be (as some conceive) a threat that the Ephraimites should be scatter'd among the Nations, be Captives to them, and dispersed amongst them, with whom to ease their condition a little, they should endeavour to mix by Friendship and Alliances; if so, this is the punishment of their former sinful Confederacies.

Some interpret this of the Party-colour'd temper of Ephraim, by such a Proverb as ours, is neither Fish nor Flesh, neither Israelite, nor Heathen, but a Mungril; neither a Heathen Idolater, nor yet a worshipper of God, a hotch potch of different Religions and Policies, like them; 1 King. 18.21. and Zeph. 1.5. neither Bread, nor yet Dough, but partly both, as the unturned Cake on the coals is: But it better expresseth their danger and sudden ruine, whose hungry Enemies will eat them up quickly▪ as men do, who for haste will not stay the full baking of their Cake.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 6:35.

9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not : yea gray hairs are here and there upon him , yet he knoweth it not .

Forreigners, whose aid Ephraim sought as 2 Kings. 15.19, 20. When Menahem bought the Friendship of Pul King of Assyria for one thousand Talents of silver, and impoverisht the Land thereby.

Eat up, lived upon, as men live on Bread they eat.

The Riches, and Goods of the Kingdom of Israel, the Fruit of the Olive and Vine, the Fruit of the Earth, Corn; the increase of their flocks, and of their Herds; the most or best of all eaten up by Strangers; either Souldiers in Garrison among them, or else courted by Presents, and Rich Gifts sent to them.

Is not sensible either of the cause why, or the tendency of this hasty Consumption of all▪ still they are secure, and sin as much as ever.

The manifest Symptoms of approaching Death, undeniable tokens of old Age▪ and declining Strength never recoverable are upon their Kingdom, like grey-hairs that are here and there intermixt on the head of a man, what with Domestick Seditions, and Forreign Invasions, and the fears, cares, and griefs from both, Ephraim, is turned grey-headed, his vital Vigour and Strength decayeth, and this is a Fore-runner of his Death.

So secure and stupid, that no notice is taken of this, nor any course thought of for preventing the dismal effects of this declining Consumptive state; none turn from sin, none seek to God the only Physitian that can heal.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]

10 And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face, , and they do not return to the LORD their God , nor seek him for all this .

Vid. cap. 5. ver. 5. let. a, b, c. Their proud contempt of God, and his Threats, of the Prophets, and their warnings is notorious;

They persist in sin without Repentance▪ run away from God rather than return to him; Of this phrase return see cap. 6. ver. 1. let. b.

Who was theirs of old, who still would be theirs on fair Terms, of whom they talk and boast,

See this phrase cap. 5.15. let. y, z. they pray not, repent not, nor rely on God.

Though so greatly, continually, and severely punisht, though almost eaten up.

11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove , without heart ; they call to Egypt , they go to Assyria .

Vid. ver. 8. let. t. and ver. 1. let. d.

A deceived dove seduced by false Prophets, and Idolatrous Priests, whose weak arguments are soon believed, and whose unseasonable advice is too soon followed: Ephraim is now become like the Dove in Weakness and Fear, as well as in Imprudence and liableness to be deceived.

This explains the former, whether heart here be judgment and discretion, as sometimes it is, or be resolution and courage as other while 'tis; This Dove, this Ephraim wants both.

They should in their perplexity call on God, who can help, but they do not, they call indeed, but not to their God, or to a Friend.

This Heshea did, 2 King. 17.4. and I remember not any mention of other application to Egypt since Iehu's time. It is probable Hosea a[illegible: 1 letter]ms at this Embassy. and private Confederacy of which, as of a thing in hand he speaketh. They do call to Egypt whose King is called so, and, judged to be Sabacon the Aethiopian, who had lately conquered Egypt: By this also may we ghess at the time of this Prophesie about some four years before Samaria was taken.

So did Menahem when on the Throne, so did Ho[illegible: 1 letter]hea, as is evident, 2 Kings. 15: 19, 20. with 2 Kings. 17.3. Thus both bewrayed the greatest Imprudence depending for help on professed, old inveterate Enemies. So silly were they! Vide chap. 5. ver. 13. and chap. 14. ver. 3.

12 When they shall go I will spread my net upon them , I will bring them down as the fowles of the heaven : I will chastise them as their congregation hath heard .

Whensoever they shall send their Embassadors to seek aid of Egypt or Assyria.

As Fowlers spread the net, watch the Birds, and cast it over them to catch them, so will God do to Ephraim: So he did with Israel when he accepted the Alliance of Salmaneser, and turn'd tributary; and again, when Israel sought by Egypts help to get out of the snares of their Vassalage to Salmaneser, who revenged the Conspiracy with a total Captivity; nor can there be likelyhood or possibility these Fugitives should escape when 'tis Gods Net, and he spreads it; his Almighty Power, his All-searching Wisdom, his Just Vengeance that follows them.

Though they attempt to fly, yet as Fowls in the Net they shall certainly fall, I will bring them down as he did when they were gathered into Samaria as a Net, and there made Prisoners, and thence carryed Captives.

Thus they shall be punisht

Both from the Law of Moses which they had with them, and as they had heard from my Prophets which I have sent unto them. I will saith God make good my word.

13 Wo unto them, for they have fled from me : destruction unto them , because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them , yet they have spoken lies against me .

It is the voice both of Menace and Lamentation, the Prophet doth at once foretel, and bewail their Miseries,

As if it were not enough that they did at first leave my Government, Temple, and Worship; they have gone farther from me, they have hastened herein, they flew from me a[illegible: 1 letter] Birds on Wing: Their sin is Apostacy.

This explains the Wo already mentioned, such Wo 'twill be as ends in destruction.

Rebelliously cast off my Law and Government, much in State, more in Church matters, oppressours in one, Idolaters in the other, and incorrigible in both.

Out of Egypt, but that's long since, and the Prophet speaks of deliverance nearer to the times he lived in, God redeemed them partly by [illegible: 1 letter]oash, 2 Kings 13. but more fully by Ieroboam the second, 2 Kings 15. and would have compleated this deliverance, but they by sins hinder it.

Practically they belye me, [illegible: 1 letter]lying to Idols, worshipping them, praying to them▪ as if I were not able or willing to help them; and ascribing praise of the good they enjoy to their Idols, chap. 2.5, 6, 7. they belyed his corrections as if not deserved, or severer then need; they belyed the good done, as if too little, or not done by God, but by their Idol.

Marginal references: Heb. spoil.

14 And they have not cryed unto me with their heart ▪ when they howled upon their beds : they assemble themselves for corn and wine , and they rebel against me .

Immersed in these troubles, taken in the net.

Either they cryed to their Idols, not to God; vid. verse 7. let. s. or else their tongues made noise, their hearts were silent, and that is in Gods account, no cry at all.

With affection, hope, humility and sincerity, but out of some trouble, and more fear, they cry'd out to be delivered out of their pain and fear,

'Tis therefore elegantly and properly called howling; Though they did thus howl, yet they pray'd not, they did not pour out a supplication to their God.

On their Couches, or in their Chambers.

In the houses of their Idols.

That they may have plenty of these to satisfie their appetite, to live luxuriously, and in jollity.

As in the use of these to excess, so in this manner of seeking these, they rebel against God, and give that honour to the Idol, is due only to God.

15 Though I have bound , and strengthned their armes , yet do they imagine mischief against me .

But as for me, or and I.

Or chastised, as the word will bear, or instructed, either notion will well suit the place. When I had chastized them for their sins, as in Iehoahaz his time, I strengthned them in Iehoash his time, and in Ieroboams time, and made them stronger then their enemies. Or I taught them, gave them wisdom and skill to handle their weapons, so David speaks, Psal. 18.34. who teacheth my hands to war, and Psalm 144.1. But the sense best suits with what he took upon him before, if we retain it as our version hath it, bound, as a Chirurgion binds up a weakned member, or having set a broken one, doth with swathes and bands bind it up; so did God for Ephraim, when the Syrians and other enemies had broken their arms.

As I took care to bind, so I did, what none else could, give strength to them, both courage of mind, and strength of body, and success added to both; so they subdued them that had formerly wasted and spoiled them; what successes Iehoash, had, or Ieroboam had, I gave, and they should have own'd it, and been thankful, but

they contrived, laid their heads together, and designed what evil they could against me, they imputed their successes to their Idols, to their way of worship and hardened themselves against all thoughts of Repentance, and returning to me; and devised mischief against my Prophets, and let loose the reins to all impieties. This is their requital for all my love!

Marginal references: Or, chas[illegible: 2 letters]ed.

16 They return , but not to the most High : they are like a deceitful bow : their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue : this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt .

They sometimes have given some signs of returning, as when Iehu destroyed Baal, or Hoshea gave liberty to Israel to go up to Ierusalem, (if it be true which some affirm of him) and if I were sure Hoshea did this, I should think the Prophet aim'd at it, in this they return.

Jehu fell off to the Calves, and Hoshea's Reign was wicked too too much, though the reigns of other Kings were more wicked, what shew soever of Repentance among them, yet they never throughly repented, never fully embraced the law of God.

All was done (as the similitude elegantly sets it forth) in meer hypocrisie, though they seem'd bent for, and aiming at the mark, yet like a weak bow they carried not the arrow home, and like a false bow they never carried it strait toward the mark.

The Royal Family, principal Nobles and Magistrates, their brave Commanders and Leaders.

Be slain by either sword of base, false and bloody Traytors at home, or by sword of Forreigners, as the Assyrian.

Against God, his Prophets and Providence, which to decry with scorners was their usual diversion, ver. 5.

This sad end

Shall be upbraided to them.

Among their Allies and seeming Friends.

Marginal references: Psal. 78.57.; Psal. 73.9.