When men cast off praying, and hearing, and sabbath-sanctification, and other things that are good, they are in the high road to a total forsaking of God. See the method of apostasy men first cast off that which is good then those omissions make way for commissions and frequent actual transgressions of God's law bring men at length to an habitual renunciation of his covenant. They left off to be wise and to do good, and then they went all to naught. Breaking the command made way for breaking the covenant and they did that, for they cast off that which was good there it began first. Observe, They have transgressed my covenant it has come to this at last for they trespassed against my law. They have cast off that which denominates men good they have cast off the fear of God, and the regard of man, and all sense of virtue and honesty. Or, as we read it, They have cast off the thing that is good they have cast off the service and worship of God, which is, in effect, casting God off. Note, God never casts off any till they first cast him off. God was abandoning them to ruin, and here gives the reason for it. They have cast him off, as not desiring to have any thing more to do with him. There is none good but one, that is God, the fountain of all good. He is good, and does good, and is our goodness. They have put away and rejected good, that is, God himself so some understand it, and very fitly. They have cast off the thing that is good. God's law is the rule by which we are to walk and this is the malignity of sin, that it trespasses upon the bounds set us by that law. They have trespassed against my law in many particular instances. They have not only done foolishly, but have dealt deceitfully. They have not only transgressed the command (every sin does that), but they have transgressed the covenant they have been guilty of such sins as break the original contract they have revolted from their allegiance, and violated the marriage-covenant by their spiritual whoredom they have, in effect, declared that they will be no longer God's people, nor take him for their God that is transgressing the covenant. Here is a general charge drawn up against them as sinners, as rebels and traitors against their sovereign Lord. The prophet must lift up his voice like a trumpet ( ), and the people must hearken to the sound of the trumpet. Thus the prophet must do the part of a watchman, that was by sound of trumpet to call the besieged to stand to their arms, when he saw the besiegers making their attack. An enemy is coming with speed and fury to seize their land, and he must awaken them to expect it. ![]() He must sound an alarm, must, in God's name, proclaim war with this rebellious nation. The reproofs and threatenings here are introduced with an order to the prophet to set the trumpet to his mouth ( ), thus to call a solemn assembly, that all might take notice of what he had to deliver and take warning by it. 7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. 5 Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency? 6 For from Israel was it also: the workman made it therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces. 4 They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. 3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him. 2 Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the L ORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law. ![]() Hos 8:6 | MHC | STEP | Sin and Punishment of Israel Crimes Charged against Israel Sottish Idolatry of Israel.
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