Mercy, Troubles, and End of the Church
R. W. Dibdin, M. A. Hosea 2:14-15 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her.… I. THE OVERTURES OF MERCY. "I will allure her." The natural heart is in a state of rebellion against God, and He sends an offer of free pardon to all that will submit to Him. He allures them by His mercies. God works upon men's fears by shewing them their dangers, upon their affections by the offer of His grace. II. TROUBLES THAT SHALL COME AFTER. "I will bring her into the wilderness." When souls are delivered from their natural bondage to sin and Satan, they do not immediately taste all the sweets arising from the liberty of the Gospel. They often indeed suffer greater torments of mind, greater terrors of conscience, than ever they did before. But if God brings His people through a wilderness, He will speak comfortably to them at last. III. THE END OF HER TROUBLES. Where God, by His Spirit, speaks comfortably to the heart, that is comfort indeed. If the heart be not at ease, nothing can give us comfort. It is one of the offices of the Spirit to comfort God's people. (R. W. Dibdin, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. WEB: "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.