All the old sins are remembered against the people, including those that until now did not even seem to be charged as guilt. After all, about old...
All the old sins are remembered against the people, including those that until now did not even seem to be charged as guilt. After all, in the relevant places the Bible speaks about the ancient deeds of the ancestors calmly, as if from a distance. But now the moment has come when even such long-ago, childish deeds must be answered for.
The point is that the people have grown older, and the demand made of them has become stricter. If the people, having matured, had outgrown their former sins, as mature people outgrow childish misbehavior, those sins would have been wiped away and no longer recalled. But now the people have fallen into more serious sins, and this means that the uncleanness must be uprooted from the very beginning, from the first sins that, because of the many years that have passed, seem insignificant. On favorable soil any small seed can produce a large harvest. And the people worked and fertilized the soil vigorously... The people once chosen by God have become like a Canaanite, a pagan deprived of his land for his sins. But now the Lord can turn away from this people as well.
He can, but He does not intend to. Again and again He calls out to sinners with a summons to repentance...
12 A high charge against Israel and Judah for various sins, yet with intimations of mercy, Hos 12:1-14.
12:5 The Lord God of hosts - He that appeared and spake, who promised the blessing and commanded the reformation at Beth-el was Jehovah, the eternal and unchangeable God; who can perform his promise, and execute his threat, who is a most terrible enemy, and most desirable friend. The Lord - Jehovah, repeated for confirmation.His memorial - By this he will be known.
12:6 Turn - Repent, leave idols and all sins. He worshipped God alone, do you so; he cast idols out of his family, do you so too; be Jacob's children herein. Mercy - Shew kindness to all who need it.Judgment - Wrong none; but with justice in dealings, in judicatures; and public offices, render to every one their due. Wait on thy God - In public worship and private duties serve and trust God alone: let not idols have either sacrifice, prayer, praise, or trust from you; and let your hope and worship, be for ever continued.