| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. |
Yet, love a woman – Following the Lord's direction, Hosea took back his wife, reclaiming her; and the message to Israel was of God's continued love for that people. R5809:2
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| 2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: |
So I bought her – Hosea purchased back his unfaithful wife from the slavery into which she had been sold. R2491:2
Voicing the Lord's tender compassion to Israel. R2491:2
Taking her back under his own roof, but not as his wife. He was compassionate toward her and her offspring. R4811:2
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| 3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee. |
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| 4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: |
The children of Israel – "His blood be upon us, and upon our children." (Matt. 27:25) R5571:4
Many days – Many years. OV105:T
Without – Without any communication with God whatever; a mark of divine disfavor. OV76:1, OV104:8
Without a sacrifice – Thus the annual Atonement Day, for more than 18 centuries, has been a farce--but the matter should be mentioned to Jewish people with full sympathy, calling attention to the fact that where the type ceased the antitype began. OV105:1
Aliens from God, without prophet, priest, sin offerings, Atonement Days. R5571:4
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| 5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. |
Afterward – The time nears when the Lord will pour upon Israel the spirit of prayer and supplication. (Zech. 12:10) R5571:4
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