SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:4
¶ ¿Qué haré a ti, Efraín? ¿Qué haré a ti, oh Judá? La misericordia vuestra es como la nube de la mañana, y como el rocío que de madrugada desvanece.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Hosea 6:4
Verse 4. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee?] This is the answer of the Lord to the above pious resolutions; sincere while they lasted, but frequently forgotten, because the people were fickle. Their goodness (for goodness it was while it endured) was like the morning cloud that fadeth away before the rising sun, or like the early dew which is speedily evaporated by heat. Ephraim and Judah had too much goodness in them to admit of their total rejection, and too much evil to admit of their being placed among the children. Speaking after the manner or men, the justice and mercy of Good seem puzzled how to act toward them. When justice was about to destroy them for their iniquity, it was prevented by their repentance and contrition: when mercy was about to pour upon them as penitents its choicest blessings, it was prevented by their fickleness and relapse! These things induce the just and merciful God to exclaim, "O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee?" The only thing that could be done in such a case was that which God did.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee ? etc.] Or, “for thee” f117 ? The Lord having observed the effect and consequence of his going and returning to his place, of his leaving his people for a long time under afflictions and in distress; namely, their thorough conversion to him in the latter day, and the blessings attending it; returns to the then present times again, and to the state and condition in which Ephraim and Judah, the ten and two tribes, were; and speaks as one at a loss, and under difficulties, to know what to do with them and for them; how as it were to give them up to ruin and destruction; and yet, having tried all ways with them, and in vain, asks what further was to be done, or could be done, to bring them to a sense of their sins, to reform them, and cause them to return to him; for your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth way ; meaning not the goodness of God bestowed upon them, and the mercy he showed to them; but the goodness that appeared in them, and all the good things done by them, their repentance, reformation, holiness, and righteousness; these, which were only in show, did not last long, came to nothing, and disappeared; like a light cloud in the morning, which vanishes away when the sun rises; or like the dew that falls in the night, which is quickly dried up and gone, after the sun has been up a small time. Thus it was with Ephraim, or the ten tribes, in the time of Jehu; there was a show of zeal for religion, and a reformation from idolatry; but it did not go on, nor last long; and with the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the times of Hezekiah and Josiah, who did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord; but then the Jews, in the times of their successors, returned to their former evil ways. And so the best works, holiness and righteousness of men, can no more stand before the justice of God, and the strict examination of it, than a thin light morning cloud, or the small drops of dew, before the light, force, and heat of the sun; nor do formal and carnal professors continue in these things; they may run well for a while, and then drop their profession and religion, and turn from the holy commandment. And this being the case, what can they expect from the Lord?
Matthew Henry Commentary
The Divine judgments against Israel. (Hos. 5:1-7) Approachin desolations threatened. (Hos. 5:8-15) Hos. 5:1-7 The piercing eye of God saw secret liking and disposition to sin, the love the house of Israel had to their sins, and the dominio their sins had over them. Pride makes men obstinate in other sins. An as Judah was treading in the same steps, they would fall with Israel By dealing treacherously with the Lord, men only deceive themselves Those that go to seek the Lord with their flocks and their herds only and not with their hearts and souls, cannot expect to find him; no shall any speed who do not seek the Lord while he may be found. See ho much it is our concern to seek God early, now, while it is the accepte time, and the day of salvation.
Hos. 5:8-15 The destruction of impenitent sinners is not mere talk, to frighten them, it is a sentence which will not be recalled. And it is mercy that we have timely warning given us, that we may flee from the wrath to come. Compliance with the commandments of men, who thwart the commandments of God, ripens a people for ruin. The judgments of God ar sometimes to a sinful people as a moth, and as rottenness, or as worm; as these consume the clothes and the wood, so shall the judgment of God consume them. Silently, they shall think themselves safe an thriving, but when they look into their state, shall find themselve wasting and decaying. Slowly, for the Lord gives them space to repent Many a nation; as well as many a person, dies of a consumption Gradually, God comes upon sinners with lesser judgments, to preven greater, if they will be wise, and take warning. When Israel and Juda found themselves in danger, they sought the protection of the Assyrians, but this only helped to make their wound the worse. The would be forced to apply to God. He will bring them home to himself, by afflictions. When men begin to complain more of their sins than of their afflictions, then there begins to be some hope of them; and when under the conviction of sin, and the corrections of the rod, we mus seek the knowledge of God. Those who are led by severe trials to see God earnestly and sincerely, will find him a present help and a effectual refuge; for with him is plenteous redemption for all who cal upon him. There is solid peace, and there only, where God is __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
מה 4100 אעשׂה 6213 לך אפרים 669 מה 4100 אעשׂה 6213 לך יהודה 3063 וחסדכם 2617 כענן 6051 בקר 1242 וכטל 2919 משׁכים 7925 הלך׃ 1980
