And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
Ver. 16. And they put away the strange gods from among them.] This was it that completed their repentance. What is humiliation without reformation? Optima et aptissima poenitentia est nova vita, saith Luther. Ephraim never repented indeed till he said, "What have I to do any more with idols?" When these words once fell from him, then "God heard him, and observed him," Hos 14:8 yea, God melted over him, and said, "I will surely have mercy upon him." Jer 31:20 And the like he did here, for
His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.] O gracious God, what could have been spoken more for the honour of thy goodness, and for the comfort of thy poor afflicted! God's soul was shortened, he could hold in no longer; Postquam poenitentitiara egerunt, totus ipsorum factus est; now that they had repented, they might have but what they would of him.
“ Flectitur oratus voce rogante Deus. ” - Ovid.