CRITICAL NOTES.]
Hosea 12:7. Merchant] Marg. a Canaanite, a heathen, unlike Israel, to whom Canaanites were a reproach (Ezekiel 16:3). Oppress] Lit. deceive. Men whose trade is deceit, whose balances are unjust, cannot love mercy and do judgment.
Hosea 12:8. Eph. said, in a spirit of disregard to the prophets, and in self-justification, “I am become rich, God prospers me; this is a proof that he is not displeased, and that there is no iniquity in me.” But these riches were not enjoyed on account of sin. Their attitude towards God and man was the very opposite of right.
Hosea 12:9. I] God meets their delusion by reminding them that he had been their guide, defence, and source of prosperity, from wandering in the wilderness, and to settlement in tents now. Others take this as a threat to reduce them to their ancient helpless condition.
PROSPERITY UNLAWFULLY GAINED AND ABUSED WILL BE TAKEN AWAY BY GOD.—Hosea 12:7-9
Israel was not like Jacob, who wrestled with God, but like a merchant who sought to become rich by fraud and oppression. Instead of keeping judgment and mercy (Hosea 12:6), Ephraim prided himself in deceit, and justified his wickedness by its success. But God threatens to punish by stripping them of wealth, and throwing them into privation and distress.
I. Prosperity acquired by unlawful means. When men make haste to be rich, they rush into danger, and care nothing for the means, so that they accomplish the end. Trade is lawful, necessary, and advantageous. Prosperity is a cause for gratitude; but how many have become Canaanites in their character and conduct.
1. Deceit. “The balances of deceit are in his hand.” Fraud is sadly too common now. Short weight and short measure, trickery and false dealing, evading legal duties, taking advantage of the unwary, are a flagrant breach of the golden rule, and an abomination to the God of truth (Proverbs 20:10). “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter.”
2. Oppression. “He loveth to oppress.” Oppression assumes many forms. When artisans are compelled to buy at a loss at their master’s premises, when their lawful wages are withheld, or their proper rights trampled upon, there is oppression. In all abuse of power and insolent treatment of others we see oppressive conduct. A bargain is sometimes unmerciful as a robbery, and wealth gained by oppression is of little value. “Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.”
II. Prosperity considered to justify wicked conduct. “Ephraim said, Yet I am rich.” I have succeeded; I must be right. If God prospers me, it is a proof that I am innocent, and that he is not displeased with me. Men have pleas for their sins, and excuses to ward off conviction from the word. Here we have—
1. Prosperity defended in pride. “I am rich.” Wealthy men are apt to be proud, to forget God, and claim honour and reverence from their fellow-men. Oppressors are esteemed great by the world; but men are to be judged by God’s rule, not by man’s rule. “Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.”
2. Prosperity defended in self-righteousness. “They shall find none iniquity in me.” They protest their innocence, and declare none can find any sin in their buying and selling. None suspect themselves less than the self-righteous and the proud. They see fraud and deceit in other traders, but not in themselves. They glorify themselves, build up their fortunes, defend them by wickedness, and deceive their own souls. “Thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
III. Prosperity abused will be taken away by God. God reminds them of forgotten mercy. In all their history he never left himself without witness of his goodness.
1. Past prosperity was the gift of God. In one brief sentence he reviews the past and comprehends the present. “I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt.” They were in bondage and slavery, and God delivered them. They depended upon him for food, clothing, and guidance in the wilderness. And they were grateful to God once, commemorated his goodness in feasts of tabernacles; but now these mercies are all forgotten. They boasted in their wealth, and sought it independently of God. God will therefore teach them dependence upon him.
2. Present prosperity is the gift of God. From Egypt up to the present time have “I the Lord thy God” taken an interest in thee. Israel’s possession of the land and deliverance from enemies, all their glory and wealth, had come from God. We have nothing that we have not received, and we should not boast as if we had not received it. Our skill and fortunes are from God, on whom we all depended. If we attribute all to self, and nothing to him, he will claim his own, and rob us of our enjoyments.
3. God who gives prosperity can easily take it away. He “will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles as in the days” of old. What a helpless people Israel were, when kings and nobles, rich and poor, left their palaces to dwell in booths! How unsettled their residence, and how slight the tenure of their worldly wealth which they held at the command of God! In God alone is power and stability, true riches and happiness. If we indulge in oppression, pride, and deceit—defend acts of injustice, and trust to unlawful gains, God will reduce us to poverty and want. “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished.” Revenues without right can never be kept. When the judgment of God falls upon dishonest trades there will be no shelter. “Riches profit not in the day of wrath.”
HOMILETIC HINTS AND OUTLINES
Hosea 12:8. The shadow taken for the substance. “I have found substance.”
1. It is folly to take wealth and worldly honours as substance, for they are emptiness and vanity, things that are not (Proverbs 23:5; Proverbs 27:4).
2. It is wrong to think that we gain substance and prosperity by our own industry and skill. “I have found it.” We say concerning our houses and fortunes, Look what “I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty.”
3. It is selfish to think that all our substance is given for our own use merely. “I have found me out substance.” Wealth, time, talents, and all are given in trust, to be employed for the good of others and the glory of God.
4. It is deceptive to think that wealth sinfully acquired will increase our happiness and protect our souls. The love of ease and oppression, pride and dishonesty, ripen for destruction. “The prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” “In all time of our wealth, good Lord, deliver us.”
“Find none iniquity in me.” Characters innocent before men ungodly in the sight of God. Men considered successful, remarkable for business tact, and held up as examples, condemned and punished by God.
Honesty is the best policy.
1. As a matter of policy.
2. As a matter of principle. Character is property. A man may not be rich in this world, yet be rich towards God and in the general good will of men. “As a man can never be truly honest unless he be religious, so, on the other hand, whatever show of religion he may make, he cannot be truly religious in God’s judgment unless he is honest in his conversation towards his neighbour” [Bp Mant].
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 12
Hosea 12:7-8. Rich. Endeavour to be honestly rich, or contentedly poor; but be sure that your riches be justly got, or you spoil all [Izaak Walton]. He that resteth upon gains certain, shall hardly grow to great riches; and he that puts all upon adventures, doth oftentimes break and come to poverty. It is good, therefore, to guard adventures with certainties that may uphold losses [Bacon].