CRITICAL NOTES.]
Hosea 13:4. Yet] Another contrast between the idolatry of Israel and the mercy of God to them (cf. Hosea 12:10).
HOMILETICS
GOD THE ONLY SAVIOUR.—Hosea 13:4
The people may be worthless, and driven away like smoke, but God is the same as of old. None else should be their Saviour. They should know and worship no other but Jehovah.
I. This character of God is declared in his word. Since we cannot know God but by revelation, how precious is that volume in which all manifestations of him are embodied. We are constantly reminded of his attributes and relations. The knowledge of them is of supreme consequence, and repeatedly set before us, that we may not forget. “There is one God; and there is none other god but he.” “I am the Lord, and there is none else: there is no god beside me.” “Thou shalt have none other gods but me.” “Is there a god besides me? Yea, there is no god; I know not any.” “I am the Lord, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another; neither my praise to graven images.”
II. This character of God is displayed in his providence. “The Lord thy God from the land of Egypt.” Israel are not only reminded of God’s revelations previously given, but of his character displayed in his providence towards them. The events of their history are briefly stated, and their own experience testifies to the truth of God’s word. He had guided and provided for them unceasingly, and saved when there was no strange God among them. Men have abundant proofs in their own lives that God alone can save. In sickness and distress, in domestic and national history, the goodness of God has been displayed. The sinner and the saint have been delivered from dangers, and can declare this. “Ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me?”
III. In proportion as we know this character of God are we obligated to him. “Thou shalt know no God but me.” It is not enough to acknowledge God as a Saviour. His claims and glory must not be shared with another. He has natural and moral rights over us. We owe duties and homage to him. We must evince our belief, and express our regard, by constant obedience to his law, studious efforts to do and delight in his will, in enjoyments and sufferings, and recognizing his presence in his word, providence, and grace. We are forbidden to indulge in atheism, polytheism, and idolatry. We must know and fear God only. We must love and serve him, with all our heart, soul, and strength.
NO SAVIOUR BESIDE GOD.—Hosea 13:4
There is no Saviour beside me.
I. What the words imply. That God is—
1. A powerful Saviour, proved from the nature of redemption and the events of providence. No sins can limit his grace, no enemy baffle his skill. Save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).
2. A constant Saviour. Present with Israel in Egypt, the wilderness, and the land of Canaan. Present with us in every time of need.
3. An only Saviour. No other could do what he did for Israel. No other can pardon our sins, renew our hearts, and save our souls. There is salvation in none other, “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
II. What the words forbid. They forbid—
1. The worship of images. We are not to make any likeness of things in heaven above, earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth. God is the object of supreme worship and affection; incapable of representation to the senses, like false deities of men.
2. The worship of God by images. We dishonour God when we attempt to worship him “in gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device” (Acts 17:29).
3. All hypocrisy and formality in worship. Excessive use of forms and ceremonies is forbidden. God is a spirit, and all worship must be in spirit and in truth. Is he the only Saviour? Then let us thank him and trust him more. In private and in public, let us earnestly and constantly look to him. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 13
Hosea 13:4. Thy God. The claims of God are enforced by reference to that particular event by which the Hebrews were separated from the nations, to remind them, and the world by them, that the character of God is displayed in the agency of his providence, and that in proportion to our knowledge of that character are our obligations to him. Each individual is here addressed, that each may feel that he has means of knowing, and constantly surrounded with motives for personally loving God.