The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-06-29
GRACIOUS INVITATIONS.
for July 2, 1s08-TeHt, Hosea
14s1-9-Memory Verses At.

for Ju1y 2, 1S00-Text, HOsea
14n-8-Memory Verses At.
Especially Adapted from Peloubet's Notes.1
GOLDEN TExT.-Come, and let us re-
turn unto the Lord.-Ho. 6:1.
READ the whole book Of Hosea
PLACE IN BIBLE HISTORY.-2 Kings.
Chaps. Is, 16, II; Chron., Chaps. 26, q, 2S.
CONTEMPORARY PROPHETS.-Amos.
Belonging to Judah. but prophesyihg In
Israel. Isaiah. Prophesying in judah.
SECULAR HISTORY. During Hosea's
ministry authentic history began In Greece
with the Olympiads. b. c. re. Rome was
founded B. c. 75S. Assyria was the domi-
nant. overshadowing power during Hosea's
life, and was the instrument of the execu-
tion Of the Divine warnings.
EXPLANATORY.
The Mission of the Prophet Hosea.-
Hosea had fallen upon evil times, and
his mission was to make them better.
Like Elisha at the bitter fountain of
Jericho, he was to cast the salt of right
eousness into the polluted social and
religious fountains of 1srael's life, and
restore the waters to health. The
Prophet Amos preceded Hosea. His
message was one of denunciation of
sin, of "Woe unto you," of punishment
of warning. 1t was of Divine justice.
The Prophet Hosea follows him with
new motive, the mightiest that can
be brought to bear upon the heart of
man-the love Of God, the deepest, ten
derest, strongest love possible. ITO
Amos proposition God is Justice Ho-
sea adds, God is Love-"
l. Hosea's Personal Experience Makes
Him Living, Visible Sermon on the
Power of Love to Conquer Sin.-Chaps.
1-3.
ii. Hosea's Appeals and Warnings
Chaps. 3-14. He shows how the people
nre decaying morally, and as natural
result politically.
III. Vision of the Past.-Chnp. II.
The warnings and woes against sin are
interrupted by two visions; one of the
past, chap. IL, and one OF future possi-
bilities, chap. IA.
~. The Vision of Hope.-14:1-0.
First. The Prophets Appeal Tvs. 1, 81.
v. !. RETURN" like the prodigal son,
after his bitter experiences, unto the
Lord thy God:" whose child you are,
to whom you owe allegiance, gratitude,
love, obedience. "For thou hast fallen
by thine iniquity:" Again like the
prodigal son. They had found "what
an evil and bitter thing" it is to forsake
Jehovah their God (Jer. 2:19). v. 2.
Take with you words:" Express your
feelings of repentance; make public
confession of sin, SO that your penitence
may be known as widely as the sin;
put your vows and promises on record;
as 1T were, sign pledge. Such things
are the natural accompaniments of true
repentance. "And turn" r. ", re-
turn, to the Lord. This is the new birth
OF John 3:3, s. It is, and always has
been, the essential condition of saliva
ton.
Second. The Penitent's Prayer and
Confession Tvs. 2, 81. "Take away all
iniquity." By free forgiveness, and by
taking away the sinful nature. $50
will we render the calves of our lips:"
The calves, or bullocks, were the larger
sacrifices of their ritual. Their vows,
their praises, their expressions of love
their confessions and promises were
their true, offerings to God. Compare
Isa. 5s:5-14. va. "Assur, Assyria, shall
not save U.S." They will no longer turn
to Assyria for help, as they had done
before (5:13; 7:11; 500. For in thee
the fatherless:" "Lo-Ruhamah" of
chaps. and 2, "findeth mercy:" (Com-
pare John 14:1s). will not leave you
''comfortless," Greek, orphans"
Third. The Lord Speaks in Reply Tvs
4-6). V. s. 81 will be as the dew:'
Rather, as the night mist, i. e., the
masses of vapor brought by the damp
westerly winds of summer. The balefu
effects of the sirocco are often felt in
Palestine during the rainless heat oi
summer, but by the beautiful provi
sion of night-mist all hardy forms o.
vegetable life are preserved. = Cam
bridge Bible. "Grow:" blossom, ''as
the lily:" in glorious beauty and pro
fusion. v. 6. What a beautiful pictur,
this is of the kingdom of God on earth
the ideal which every Christian church
should seek to realize more fully.
Fourth. The Prophet Pictures Israe
Under the Fulfilment of this Promise
v. 7. "They that dwell under his
Isrears, shadow" The people of Is
rael. "Shall return:" Revive as thu
bare branches revive in the springtime
Shall grow, blossom, "as the vine:
Beautiful and fruitful.
Fifth. Repentant Israel Speaks. v
g.. what have l to do any more will
idols?" Israel renounces idols forever
Sixth. The Lord Responds. 81 hav'
heard (answered) him, and observed
him:" and will regard him. The Lore
accepts Israel's repentance, and will
take him under His care.
Seventh. Repentant Israel rejoices il
the result. 81 am like green fir tree:
evidently thinking of the splendid for
ests of Lebanon.
Eighth. The Lord replies in words o
both hope and warning. From Me i
thy fruit found:" All these blessing
come from the Lord, as the life an,
fruit of tree comes from the cartl
and air. So in John IS, the fruit on tn
branch comes from the vine.