Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons Hosea 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say to him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously… I. AN AWFUL FACT STATED. "Thou hast fallen," etc. The term "fall" is used literally, when we speak of a body descending from a higher to a lower situation. When the fall of angels or of men is mentioned, we understand the term figuratively. Thus Israel had — 1. Fallen from their allegiance to God. 2. Fallen from His worship. 3. Fallen from the enjoyment of His favour. II. AN AFFECTIONATE EXHORTATION URGED. "Return unto the Lord." Observe — 1. The persons addressed. "Israel." No reproachful name is used. 2. The nature of the address. "Return." This implies previous wandering. 3. To whom they were to return. "The Lord thy God." III. INSTRUCTIVE DIRECTION ADMINISTERED. "Take with you words." Not bullocks or sacrifices. Words of sincerity. Appropriate words. Words of confession. Words of petition. They were to pray for the removal of iniquity. 1. Take it away from our affections, that we may no longer love it. 2. From our consciences, that we may no longer labour under the burden of it. 3. From our lives, that it may not have dominion over us. 4. "From our hearts, that we may be dead to it." Receive our prayers graciously. Receive our persons graciously. IV. RETURNS OF GRATITUDE EXPRESSED. "So will we render the calves of our lips." (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. |
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