Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 9:7

7 The dayes of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come , Israel shall know it : the prophet is a fool , the spiritual man is mad , for the multitude of thine iniquity ; and the great hatred .

The Prophet doubleth the same thing both to confirm the certainty of it, and to awaken the stupid Israelites, the days of God's just displeasure, in which he will punish, and render to these incorrigible Idolaters, and abominable debauchees as their wickedness deserveth, are come, they are very near, within four years at most.

Israel will not believe it, though God hath often told them of it, but when 'tis come, and they feel it, they shall then know indeed as Fools know when they smart for their folly.

That their false Prophets were all, to a man of them Fools and rash, judging by present greatness or alliances of Israel, not observing what were their sins and Gods wrath; Now when Hosea preacht what was contained in this ninth chap. Israel had made a League with So King of Egypt, cast off the Assyrian and not sought to God, but vainly trusted to the Egyptian Succours; now any wise man might imagin that likely which the Prophet Hosea did foretel as certain, that the Assyrian with all his Power would fall upon the Revolters; none but Fools would promise such a people a time of safety when the War was falling upon their heads.

Whom we thought a true Prophet, but now find by sad experience that we believed a mad man, one much out of his wits, yet were we more to believe what he promised.

God was highly displeased with the multitude of their iniquities, and began his punishments in giving them over to believe the lies of their false Prophets, and to expect what peace those Prophets did promise.

Which God had against your sins and wayes: You would walk in wayes which God hated, yet would have Prophets to foretel peace and plenty; such you have had as described Mic. 2.11. and you believed them and God, out of his just dislike, suffered this to be, left you to your choice.

That pretends to be full of the Spirit of prophecy, and foretels good to them.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] of [illegible: 1 word] Spirit.; [illegible: 1 letter]oph. 3.4.