CRITICAL NOTES.—
Hosea 10:11. Taught] Trained, accustomed to work. Threshing easier than ploughing; an image of freedom and enjoyment (Deuteronomy 25:4; Deuteronomy 32:15), of productive labour and prosperity. Now put under the yoke, and employed in servile work. Ride] Not mounted, but drive in harness.
HOMILETICS
SEEKING TO ENJOY THE COMFORTS AND REFUSING THE DUTIES OF RELIGION.—Hosea 10:11
The metaphors in this and the next verse are taken from husbandry. Israel, like an ox, was trained to tread out corn, and loved this easy luxuriant service. God had forbidden to muzzle the ox (Deuteronomy 25:4). It enjoyed freedom and partook of the results of its labour. Israel served in ease, waxed fat and kicked in prosperity, but refused in adversity. This is typical of many who serve God for selfish ends, who seek to enjoy the pleasures of religion, but refuse its duties. Now this conduct does not commend itself.
I. It is unreasonable. We do not expect wages without work, nor can we reap without sowing. Besides, the joy is in the labour itself. We work with delight when the heart is willing. In all labour performed in a spirit of love there is profit. The service of God is a reasonable, a most delightful service. He is not a taskmaster, for his yoke is easy and his burden light.
II. It is ungrateful.
1. It is not returning according to benefits received. If God has blessed us with gifts and graces, health and strength, should we refuse to thank him? Are we not under deep obligation to make some return?
2. It is manifesting the disobedience of a child. Children are indebted to parents, should be dutiful and obedient. But if after all the care and special training of the child, he is rebellious and selfish, how unkind, how unreasonable! Yet God prospers and blesses men, trains them up in ease and comfort, but they forget and forsake him.
3. It indicates the stubbornness of a beast. A pampered horse kicks and refuses to draw. The wild ass loves to roam in freedom and shuns the yoke. So many love the privileges and cherish not the spirit of the gospel; seek their own ease in Zion, and labour not for the good of others.
III. It is selfish. Religion is not a rapture, but a habit; not a sentiment, but a life. Many nurse their feelings and forget their duties. Like Peter, they would always dwell on the mount, and forsake the market-place and the shop. Instead of living on earth, amid the dangers and trials of service, they seek to rise into ecstasy, and soar into the third heavens. There is nothing honourable or honest in this. It is selfish and crafty to shun our daily duty. We must deny ourselves, count our master worthy of all honour and homage, “that the name of God be not blasphemed.”
IV. It is impossible.
1. It violates the order of nature. Everywhere action and enjoyment go together. The lark sings when it soars aloft on its wings. The child laughs merrily when it plays. The beauty and vigour of the body result from exercise. So the happiness of religion springs from a consciousness of duty done. The sphere of activity is higher than that of passivity. It is more blessed to give than receive, and the highest blessedness consists in the legitimate exercise of the highest powers. This is the law of our being, and makes us like God, who is “blessed for evermore.”
2. It contradicts the will of God. God’s law is the rule of our life and obedience the source of our happiness. God is only pleased with those who love and obey him. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” We must not seek our own will, but follow him who “pleased not himself.” We cannot possess the comforts unless we live the life of the righteous. We cannot eat unless we work. The pleasures of religion must not be separated from the duties of religion. “If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them.”
HOMILETIC HINTS AND OUTLINES
Spiritual husbandry.
1. Some tread out corn, to provide seed for the fields of labour.
2. Some plough, to prepare the ground to receive it.
3. Others harrow, break the clods to cover the seed when sown. Men are often united, as well as separated, in the work of God. Each a work of his own, yet all cooperate for the general good.
Methods of training men for God’s service.
1. By gentle work, attractive enjoyments, an easy yoke.
2. By harder bondage, if easy labour will not win. When mild measures fail, God often tries harsh measures. Men have to plough, break up clods, if they love the ease and shun the toils of religion.
3. Yet even then God displays mercy, handles them gently, as we put the yoke tenderly on a young untamed animal to inure it to labour. In judgment God remembers mercy. But if the mercy be despised and the work refused, the judgment will be the heavier. God would set a rider in Ephraim to tame and subdue them. “Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads.”
The gods are just, and all our pleasant vices
Make instruments to scourge us.
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 10
Hosea 10:11. Duty and delight. Those who give to God only the shadow of duty can never expect from him a real reward [Flavel]. Employment is the salt of life. As salt gives relish to food, so employment prevents insipid and unwholesome feelings, and gives pleasure to life. Life is a delight just in the degree that it is consecrated to action.
Life is duty—noblest therefore
He who best that course selects;
Never waiting, asking “wherefore?”
Acting as his heart directs.