It. Hebrew, “a saying.” Septuagint, “If,” &c., Deuteronomy xxiv. 1. (Haydock) — Woman. Hebrew, “land.” — Lovers. Septuagint, “shepherds,” (Calmet) seeking aid from idols and foreigners.
1. He encourages them to hope that they shall find favour with him, upon their repentance: "Thou thou hast been bad, yet return again to me," v. 1. This implies a promise that he will receive them: "Return, and thou shalt be welcome." God has not tied himself by the laws which he made for us, nor has he the peevish resentment that men have; he will be more kind to Israel, for the sake of his covenant with them, than ever any injured husband was to an adulterous wife; for in receiving penitents, as much as in any thing, he is God and not man.
Verses 1-5 In repentance, it is good to think upon the sins of which we have been guilty, and the places and companies where they have been committed. How gently the Lord had corrected them! In receiving penitents, he is God, and not man. Whatever thou hast said or done hitherto, wilt thou not from this time apply to me? Will not this grace of God overcome thee? Now pardon is proclaimed, wilt thou not take the benefit? They will hope to find in him the tender compassions of a Father towards a returning prodigal. They will come to him as the Guide of their youth: youth needs a guide. Repenting sinners may encourage themselves that God will not keep his anger to the end. All God's mercies, in every age, suggest encouragement; and what can be so desirable for the young, as to have the Lord for their Father, and the Guide of their youth? Let parents daily direct their children earnestly to seek this blessing.
And I will not cast thee off, but receive thee, according to my mercy. According as it is written, Deut. 24:4 . If he take such one to wife again. That is, with idols, and with them whom thou hast put thy confidence in.
High. Literally, “straight forward.” (Haydock) — On the hills, idolatry and immorality prevailed. — Ways, where harlots used to sit, Genesis xxxviii. 14., and Proverbs vii. 9., and xxxiii. 27. — Robber; “Arab,” (Chaldean, &c.) or “crow.” (Septuagint) (Calmet) — No sin is so great as to be irremissible to the true penitent. (Worthington)
1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the Lord. 2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness. 3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. 4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth? 5 Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
Rain; about November, Deuteronomy xi. 14. This drought happened under Josias, (chap. v. 24.) and was different from that specified, chap. viii. 13., and xiv. 1.
These verses some make to belong to the sermon in the foregoing chapter, and they open a door of hope to those who receive the conviction of the reproofs we had there; God wounds that he may heal. Now observe here,