Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 24

 The Abomination of Desolation

Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

shew great signs... Satanic powers will be manifest in the tribulation (2Thes. 2:7-12; Rev. 13:1-18; 16:13-16; 19:20; Dan. 8:24).

Signs and wonders (σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα)

See on Mat. 11:20. The two words often joined in the New Testament. See John 4:48; Acts 2:22; 4:30; 2Cor. 12:12. The words do not denote different classes of supernatural manifestations, but these manifestations regarded from different points of view. The same miracle may be a mighty work, or a glorious work, regarded with reference to its power and grandeur; or a sign of the doer's supernatural power; or a wonder, as it appeals to the spectator. Τέρας, (derivation uncertain) is a miracle regarded as a portent or prodigy, awakening amazement. It most nearly corresponds, therefore, to the etymological sense of the word miracle (Lat., miraculum, a wonderful thing, from mirari, to wonder).

They shall deceive... This clearly implies that such deception is not possible (John 10:4-5).

the very elect... Here the elect is Jewish elect. Is definitely speaking of the Christians. These false christs are all around us today. Some of them are openly proclaiming to be Christ; others are just subtly suggesting that they are.

False prophets are doing even more damage to the Christians. At least, if someone proclaims he is Christ, those of us that know the Scriptures recognize right off that he is not. False prophets are another thing, they come in with a message so close to the truth, and many times doing miracles.

The only way you can tell the difference is to listen carefully to every word, and check it out with the Bible. Any message that does not elevate the name of Jesus is a suspect right off. God the Father is to be reverenced. Christians must be a peculiar, separated people.

You might ask, separated from what? The answer is, the world and its ways. As I have said before, if it pleases the flesh, there is something wrong with it generally. God will not be mocked. He wants His people holy and righteous (without spot or wrinkle). We cannot have one foot in earth and the other foot in heaven.

We have to make up our minds who we will follow, God or Satan. The only way that it is not possible to deceive the very elect is, because they have studied and understood, (through the Holy Spirit), the Scriptures. Just one wrong word will trigger a red flag in their brains. Pharaoh’s magicians could do signs and wonders. Just be careful and check out everything with the Bible.

Much misinformation will be disseminated then for false Christs will be all around (Mat. 24:23-24).

Book of Hosea Chapter 6 Vs. 6

 Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hos. 6:6

I desired mercy,... I desire acts of mercy on your part rather than sacrifices. If your religion makes you exalted and self-righteous and you consider yourself to be defiled by associating with sinners, your sacrifices are in vain.

For real love have I desired, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

the knowledge of... Hearty, affectionate knowledge of God, which fills the mind with reverence of his majesty, fear of his goodness, love of his holiness, trust in his promise, and submission to his will; knowledge of God’s law, the rule of our obedience, of his favor, the reward of our obedience.

than burnt offerings...And knowledge of his omniscience, discerning and judging it, with those excellent effects, proper fruits hereof; are more than all sacrifice, as though they were burnt-sacrifices, which of all other were entirely given to God. But truth is, who knows God correctly, and doth keep his heart for God, gives God more than he that brings whole burnt-offerings; for these are but ceremonies and signs, empty and insipid to God, without the heart.

In short, these people acted all so contrary to this temper of their God, gave him so much of that he valued not, and so little of that he did most value, that he could not be too severe against them, nor is it any wonder he was so displeased with their sacrifices.

God desired to be merciful to them. He saw their inability to live their way into heaven. He provided the perfect sacrifice in Jesus Christ, to take away the sin of the world. Jesus became each individual's substitute on the cross. He paid the price in full for our sins. The sacrifice that God wants from the believers in Christ is praise.

Heb. 13:15 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name."

The reason for such severe discipline is reiterated: God’s people had failed to understand His true desire. He longed for devotion (ḥeseḏ, mercy) and loyalty (acknowledgment of God; cf. Hos. 2:20; 4:1, 4:6) expressed through allegiance to the covenant demands. Unless offered in the context of obedience, sacrifices were meaningless and even offensive (cf. 1Sam. 15:22; Isa. 1:11-20; Amos 5:21-24; Mic. 6:6-8).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 23

 The Abomination of Desolation

Matthew 24:23 “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not.”

Then if any... Then—during the great tribulation days of Mat. 24:15-21. Either at the time when the siege shall have begun, and the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place; or during the days of tribulation, while the siege lasts. Or after those days were shortened, and the city destroyed, and the Roman army was gone with their captives. Or when some that was in the country; would insinuate to their countrymen, that the Messiah was in such a place.

lo! here is... For both during the time of the siege, there were such that sprung up, and pretended to be Messiahs, and deliverers of them from the Roman power, and had their several accomplishes.

One would say he was in such place and another that he was in such a place; and so they stirred up the people not to leave, nor to deliver up the city; after the city was taken and destroyed.

So far we have found the leading ideas to be simple and practical, and all connected with the destruction of Jerusalem.

(1) Do not expect that event too early; for you must pass through many trials and do much work before it.

(2) As soon as you shall see the sign I give you, expect it immediately, and lose no time in making your escape from the horrors of these awful days.

(3) Even then, however, do not expect the personal advent of the Son of man; for though it is a day of judgment, it is only one of those partial judgments which are necessary on the principle that wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. The personal advent of Christ and the day of final judgment are only foreshadowed by, not realized in, the destruction of Jerusalem and the close of the old dispensation.

The elect of this Church Age will have already been raptured before the Tribulation. Much misinformation will be disseminated then for false Christs will be all around.

Book of Hosea Chapter 6 Vs. 5

 Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant

Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. Hos. 6:5

hewed them by... God’s measures to bring His disloyal people to repentance had been extreme (cf. Amos 4:6-11). His words of judgment, spoken through the prophets, had brought sudden death and destruction on many people (cf. Jer. 1:10; 5:14). I have severely, continually, and not tiring by the prophets reproved, warned, and threatened. Your hearts have been like knotty trees, or hardest stones: I have made my prophets like laborers, and, my words like axes or hammers to cut off the knots, and to hew off the roughness which make unfit for use. But all to no purpose, the desired effect hath not been attained.

by the prophets... Some that was before Hosea. Jeroboam I was by a prophet reproved and threatened for this idolatry, in which Israel persisted, and to which Judah did too often fall. And through the space of two hundred years, from Jeroboam I to Hosea’s time, many other prophets were sent, whose names, and some memoirs of them, we have. Such as Ahijah, Jehu, Hanani, Elijah, and Elisha, these and such like were the prophets that did hew crooked and knotty Israel.

I have slain... Some say the false prophets are the persons meant here, whom God did slay for their sin, seducing Israel to, and confirming them in, idolatry. Indeed, Elijah’s sincere zeal did cut off so many (1Kgs. 18:22, 40), and Jehu’s counterfeit zeal cut off so many (2Kgs. 10:21, 25), that it could never be forgotten among that people. So the thing is true, many false prophets were slain for this sin; yet the persons in our text were not these false prophets, but they were the people of Israel and Judah, the idolatrous, refractory hypocrites among them, whom God threatened with death and that by the sword of enemies.

thy judgments are... Meaning the punishments threatened, the miseries foretold, which fell upon this people, did so fully answer the prediction, that everyone might see them clear as the light, and as constantly executed as the morning (See Zeph. 3:5).

These arrogant people of God had tried to stand against the God that made them. The prophets cut them down with warnings from God, if they did not repent. God spoke judgment against them, and they were punished for their sins. The Light does away with darkness. The Light of God was applied to get rid of sin in their lives.

God’s measures to bring His disloyal people to repentance had been extreme (cf. Amos 4:6-11). His words of judgment, spoken through the prophets, had brought sudden death and destruction on many people (cf. Jer. 1:10; 5:14).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 22

 The Abomination of Desolation

Matthew 24:22 “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

These elect had been praying for Jerusalem and her people, and God heard their prayers and answered. God will not allow total annihilation; He will always save a remnant.

Notice that, though the elect may be powerfully tempted, they will repudiate and resist the attack and still remain loyal to their Lord.

the elect’s sake... Jews, not the Church because:

1. Jesus is answering a Jewish question (Mat. 24:3; 25:31-46; Acts 1:6)

2. False Messiahs primarily concern Israel (Mat. 24:5, 24:23-26)

3. Anti-semitism proves it (Mat. 24:9)

4. The travail of Israel (see, Mat. 24:8)

5. The abomination of desolation concerns Israel only (see, Mat. 24:15)

6. The Jewish temple (see, Mat. 24:15)

7. Flight of Israel (see, Mat. 24:16)

8. The sabbath is Jewish (see, Mat. 24:20)

9. The great tribulation (note, Mat. 24:21)

10. Jews are the only people to be gathered (see, Mat. 24:31)

11. The coming of Christ is to deliver Israel (Mat. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; Zec. 14:1-21)

12. Judgment of the nations is based on treatment of Israel (Mat. 25:31-46)

13. The eagles eating carcasses was predicted to be at the time of Israel’s deliverance (Mat. 24:28; Eze. 39:17-22; Luke 17:34-37; Rev. 19:17-21)

14. The church will be raptured before the above events.

Those days shall... If the afflictions of this time were to continue, “no life would have been saved,” i.e., no one would survive. But “for the sake of the elect” (so that redeemed people do not suffer more than they can bear), the time is “cut short”, i.e., held short of total destruction. Both (Dan. 7:25 and Rev. 12:14), suggest that the actual length of time the Beast will be permitted to terrorize the world is fixed at 3-1/2 years.

shall be shortened... Curtailed. The persecution itself will be cut short, not the 1260 days themselves (Rev. 11:1-3; 12:6, 12:14; 13:5; Dan. 12:7).

Should be shortened (ἐκολοβώθησαν)

Rev., had been shortened. A very picturesque word. The verb is, literally, to dock, to cut off, leaving a stump, as a limb. Wyc., abridged. As a fact, various causes did combine to shorten the siege. Herod Agrippa was stopped in his work of strengthening the walls by orders from the emperor; the Jews, absorbed in their party strife's, had totally neglected preparations to stand a siege; the magazines of corn and provisions were burnt before the arrival of Titus. Titus arrived suddenly, and the Jews voluntarily abandoned parts of the fortification. Titus himself confessed that God was against the Jews, since otherwise neither his armies nor his engines would have availed against their defenses.

There was an encouraging note, however, for the Lord declared that those days would be cut short (Mat. 24:22). This meant there will be a termination of this period of time, not that the days will be fewer than 24 hours. If it were to go on indefinitely, no one would survive. But the period will come to an end for the sake of the elect, those who will be redeemed in the Tribulation and who will enter the kingdom. The elect of this Church Age will have already been raptured before the Tribulation.

Book of Hosea Chapter 6 Vs. 4

 Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Hos. 6:4

O Ephraim, what... Here ends the supposed language of the penitents. If it were genuine, and accompanied by a deep sense of sin, it would not be in vain. But the prophet utters the heartrending response and expostulation of Jehovah, who bewails the transitory nature of their repentance.

what shall I... Questions 1-2. Next, Hos. 8:5.

for your goodness... Your goodness flees away as a morning cloud, and as the early dew which quickly goes away when the sun comes up; it is short-lived and transient. Your goodness is of a short continuance, and gives way to every temptation, like as the cloud of the morning, and the dew, are dispersed at the first approach of the sun.

Ephraim, Judah, and in fact, all of mankind have no goodness of their very own. We all deserve to die, because of the sins we have committed. It is only by the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, that any of us are saved. God is merciful.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God provided the way for us, that we could not provide for ourselves. We may act good for a moment, but our goodness goes away like the dew. Our righteousness is in Jesus Christ. He puts us who will believe in right standing with God.

The Lord’s case against Israel expanded

The Lord’s case against Israel is greatly expanded in these chapters. Emphasis is placed on the nation’s guilt, especially for her ingratitude. As in the preceding section (cf. 5:15-6:3), judgment changes to restoration by the end of the unit (cf. Hos. 11:8-11). Each of the sub-units is marked out formally by an introductory direct address (cf. Hos. 6:4; 9:1; 11:8). Both of the judgment cycles (6:4-8:14; 9:1-11:7) refer to a return to Egypt (cf. Hos. 8:13; 11:5) in their conclusions, while the brief salvation passage (Hos. 11:8-11) pictures God’s people returning from that land (cf. Hos. 11:11).

Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

This first judgment cycle contains two parts (6:4-7:16; Hos. 8:1-14). Both refer to a breach of covenant in their opening verses (Hos. 6:7; 8:1) and mention Egypt near the end (Hos. 7:16; 8:13).

Israel’s ingratitude punished

These verses are primarily accusatory, though judgment is announced formally in the closing passage (cf. Hos. 7:12-13, 7:16). The Lord’s attempts to restore His people contrast with their rebellion. The references to the Lord’s gracious disposition toward the nation introduce the sub-units of the section (cf. Hos. 6:4-11; 6:11b-7:12; Hos. 7:13-16).

The first sub-unit

The Lord’s argument here begins with a rhetorical question addressed both to Ephraim and Judah. The mood is one of despair and frustration. God’s people had rejected all His attempts to bring them to their senses. Their love (ḥeseḏ; cf. Hos. 2:19; 4:1) for the Lord was at best transitory (Hos. 6:4). Like the early morning fog or dew, any expression of loyalty quickly evaporated.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 21

 The Abomination of Desolation

Matthew 24:21 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

For then shall... For then—the great tribulation of the last 3 1/2 years of this age will begin (Dan. 9:27; 11:40-45; 12:1, 12:7, 12:11; Jer. 30:4-7; Rev. 7:14; 11:1-19:21).

be great tribulation... The words such as was not since the beginning and nor ever shall be along with the description that follows. Identify this as the yet-future time in which God’s wrath shall be poured out upon the earth. Jesus’ descriptions for the cataclysms that follow closely resemble the outpouring of divine wrath described in the bowl judgments of (Rev. 16), and His subsequent appearing in (Rev. 19).

In no other period of history (past or future), of the world will there be so much suffering and universal destruction as during the seven years called the Great Tribulation. These years are fraught with wrath (Eze. 7:19), judgment (Rev. 14:7; 15:4; 16:5, 7), darkness (Joel 2:2; Amos 5:18, 20), indignation (Isa. 26:20-21; 34:1-3), and sorrow.

The scriptural representations of the Great Tribulation are wholly negative with no attempt to minimize the severity of human suffering in that time. During the Great Tribulation, God will pour out His wrath on mankind and will judge all of creation, just before the peace of the Millennium is ushered in.

If Christians do not realize that they will be taken out of the world before the Great Tribulation begins, they could become very discouraged looking forward to those years. The realization of what awaits the unsaved following the Rapture ought to motivate every believer to win souls before it is too late.

In this verse, you can easily see why the rush to get out. If this was the siege that took place when Jerusalem fell to the Romans, then close to a million were estimated to die. I tend to believe that this Scripture was not only for that terrible time, but is also speaking of another terrible time that will come when the antichrist begins his rule in the Tribulation period.

The personal advent of Christ and the day of final judgment are only foreshadowed by, not realized in, the destruction of Jerusalem and the close of the old dispensation.

Book of Hosea Chapter 6 Vs. 3

 Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hos. 6:3

Then shall we... Then (after the three days of national mourning and repentance, and after being raised up to live in His sight) we will know (continue to know), if we follow on to know (if we walk in the light, Hos. 6:2).

his going forth... This refers to the definite preparation and time of the second coming of Christ in the plan of God. His coming is fixed as surely as the morning is eternally fixed to come at a certain time daily (Gen. 1:14-19; 8:22). His coming to save and bless Israel will be like refreshing rains after a long dry season—even as the latter and former rain upon the earth.

He shall come... God will no longer deal with Israel like a moth and rottenness (5:12). Instead, He will deal with them like life-giving and refreshing rain.

and former rain... The former rain fell in October at the seed time; the latter or spring rain fell in March and April to cause the grain to mature and ripen. One came at the beginning and the other at the end (or harvest time) of good things; so in the spiritual realm, God would come down upon Israel to make a complete harvest of the nation (Zec. 10:1; Zec. 12:10-13:1; Rom. 1:25-29). The former and the latter rain are speaking of a time when the Spirit of God falls on the people of the earth like rain.

Acts 2:17 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:"

Jas. 5:7 "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."

Col. 1:28 "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”

Col.1:9 " For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"

Joel 2:23 "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first [month]."

This is a call to the study of God and His Word. The way to know the LORD is to diligently study His Word.

Let us know, let us follow up to know, Jehovah:

As soon as we seek Him, we shall find Him

And He shall come to us like the winter-rain,

Like the spring-rain, pouring on the land!

The Lord will surely respond favorably to such loyalty. His emergence from His hiding place (cf. Hos. 5:6, 5:15) will be as certain as the sunrise. He will pour out His blessings on His people, as the winter and spring rains… water the earth and assure agricultural prosperity. The latter comparison was especially well chosen since the regularity of these rains was a sign of the Lord’s favor (cf. Deut. 11:13-15).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 20

 The Abomination of Desolation

Matthew 24:20 “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:”

But pray ye... Pray that the invasion will not take place in winter as it would be difficult to flee without preparation at this time; nor on the sabbath, because orthodox Jews hold it unlawful to travel more than a mile on that day (Acts 1:12), so would be overtaken by the invaders. When days are short, and unfit for long journeys. And roads are bad, and sometimes not passable, through large snows, or floods of water; and when to dwell in desert places, and lodge in mountains, would be very uncomfortable.

Therefore, Christ directs to pray to God, who has the disposal of all events, and of the timing of them, that he would so order things in the course of his providence, that their flight might not be in such a season of the year, when traveling would be very difficult and troublesome.

neither on the... For the Jews thought it unlawful to walk above two thousand paces (one mile) on the Sabbath day.

So far we have found the leading ideas to be simple and practical, and all connected with the destruction of Jerusalem.

1. Do not expect that event too early; for you must pass through many trials and do much work before it.

2. As soon as you shall see the sign I give you, expect it immediately, and lose no time in making your escape from the horrors of these awful days.

Ever, the winter’s cold must be faced, if life were to be saved; and the flight must be farther than could be covered on a Sabbath day, that is, according to Jewish law, no more than a mile.

He encouraged people to pray that their escape would not have to be in the winter when it would be difficult or on the Sabbath when travel would be limited.

Book of Hosea Chapter 6 Vs. 2

 Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant

After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Hos. 6:2

After two days... This should be taken literally. It gives the time that the mourning of Zec. 12:10-13:1 will take place. On the third day after two full days of mourning God will open to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a fountain for sin and uncleanness—so all Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:25-29).

we shall live... Live again in eternal life and resurrection from death in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-10). Not a reference to the resurrection of Christ (illness, not death, is in the context), but to the quickness of healing and restoration (compare the quickness with which the dry bones of Eze. Chapter 37 respond). Numbers are used similarly elsewhere (e.g., Job 5:19; Pro. 6:16; 30:15, 18; Amos 1:3).

in his sight... We will live righteously in His sight, as we lived before in sins in His sight (Hos. 7:2).

When the sun seems to dip below the horizon, we begin to travel toward its rising again. Then we follow on, to behold the glorious dawn of the next day, which is prepared for us.

The equivalent expressions, after two days and on the third day, refer to a short period of time, indicating they expected the revival to occur soon. Israel will also resolve to acknowledge the Lord’s authority (contrast Hos. 4:1, 4:6; 5:4). Press on is literally, pursue or chase, which suggests the intensity of Israel’s newfound devotion.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 19

 The Abomination of Desolation

Matthew 24:19 “And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!”

And woe unto... It will be hard on women with children or those great with child to flee before the swiftness of the invaders. Not that it should be criminal for them to be with child, or a judgment on them; for it was always esteemed a blessing to be fruitful and bear children: but this expresses the miserable circumstances that one would be in, who, by reason of their heavy burdens, would not be able to make so speedy a flight. As the case would require; or would be obliged to stay at home, and endure all the miseries of the siege.

So that these words, as the following are not expressive of sin, or punishment, but of pity and concern for their misery and distress: and to them that give suck in those days. Whose tender affection to their infants will not suffer them to leave them behind them. And yet such their weakness, that they will not be able to carry them with them. At least, they must be great hindrances to their speedy flight.

The time following this event will be a time of great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world… and never to be equaled again (Jer. 30:7). The awful character of the Tribulation period cannot be truly grasped by anyone. This was why Jesus pointed out how difficult the time would be for pregnant women and nursing mothers (Mat. 24:19).

Book of Hosea Chapter 6 Vs. 1

Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. Hos. 6:1

Come and let... The 8th prophecy in Hosea (Hos. 6:1-3, unfulfilled). Next, Hos. 7:12.

Seven Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1. He will heal us (Hos. 6:1).

2. He will bind us up.

3. After two days will He revive us (Hos. 6:2).

4. In the third day He will raise us up.

5. We will live in His sight.

6. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord (Hos. 6:3).

7. He will come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

us return unto... These are to be the words of Israel in the last days, as already symbolized by Gomer (Hos. 3:2-3) and foretold in Hos. 3:5 (cp. Zec. 12:10-13:1; Rom. 11:25-29). We shall live in his sight, the prophet vicariously leads his people in a prayer of repentance and a plea for restoration that can ultimately take place only in the day when Israel as a nation will be converted (Jer. 31:31-34), and God will set up His kingdom over His people and reign for a thousand years.

This is speaking as if their captivity has already taken place. It is the same God that tore them, who will forgive them and cause them to begin again. God chastises His people as a loving parent. He is also full of grace and love for the very same people. God is our Judge, but He is also our Redeemer.

LET US RETURN UNTO THE LORD

How full Scripture is of tender invitations, Come, and let us return! This opening verse is closely connected with Hos. 5:15. The hand that smote was the Father’s who waited to welcome the prodigal nation with healing and up-binding.

Their shallow hearts need deepening. Have they not been deepened enough? Wherefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgment goeth forth like the lightning. For real love have I desired, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

These verses record the words the penitent generation of the future will declare as they seek the Lord. The message is constructed in two cycles, each containing an exhortation (Hos. 6:1, 6:3) and a motivating promise (Hos. 6:1-2, 6:3).

In contrast with her past folly (cf. Hos. 5:13), Israel will turn to the Lord as her source of healing and life (cf. Deut. 32:39). Assyria was not able to cure Israel (Hos. 5:13), but the Lord is able, even though like a lion (Hos. 5:14) He had torn them to pieces.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 18

 The Abomination of Desolation

Matthew 24:18 “Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.”

return back to... His clothes which, in working, he had laid aside, or which, in fleeing, he should throw off as an encumbrance. Clothes here means the outer garment, commonly laid aside when men worked or ran.

These directions were followed as it is said that the Christians, warned by these predictions, fled from Jerusalem to Pella, and other places beyond the Jordan; so that there is no evidence that a single “Christian” perished in Jerusalem (Eusebius, Hist. Eccl., lib. 3 chapter 6).

Those in the field, were not to return for personal items, but were to flee for their lives. This is an emergency situation probably, like it would be in the large cities, if a tornado or bomb alert were to go off. The main idea is to get away as fast as they can, not worrying about anything left behind.

No returning from the field for possessions, not even for a cloak. The time following this event will be a time of great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world… and never to be equaled again (Jer. 30:7). The awful character of the Tribulation period cannot be truly grasped by anyone.

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 15

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. Hos. 5:15

I will go... Tenderness blends with judgment, and insulted love bleeds and hopes. The image of the lion is dropped. Jehovah speaks of His own place, Heaven. He will cause all manifestations of His regard for them to cease till they suffer punishment, and seek my face, and, like the prodigal in the flush of a new morning, will arise and go unto the Father.

till they acknowledge... Till they confess and humble themselves for their sins. Their offence, and seek my face, God said He would return to His place till both houses of Israel would acknowledge their sins and seek Him (Zec. 12:10-13:1; Rom. 11:25-29).

and seek my... Me their God, my mercy, and my law; their Sovereign as well as Savior.

in their affliction... In deep distresses they will, at least some will, seek me diligently, as indeed they did at the end of Judah’s seventy years’ captivity.

This speaks of the time being extended for their captivity. The lion tears at its victim and then carries it away. The lion then goes to his den and rests. This is also, what this is speaking of here. God will allow all of these terrible things to happen to them.

they will seek...He will not intervene and stop it, as He has in the past. It is such a shame that they have to be in such destitute condition, before they reach out to God. The captivity is to cause them to repent and turn back to God. God will not seek them, they must seek Him. Because of the great affliction, they will seek God sooner than they would, had they not suffered so greatly.

REPENTANCE FALLS

Seeing that their leaders are so helpless, and feeling their wounds, the people may themselves turn to God for healing, but that will be with a repentance so shallow as also to be futile. They have no conviction of sin, nor appreciation of how deeply their evils have eaten.

This too facile repentance is expressed in a prayer which the Christian Church has paraphrased into one of its most beautiful hymns of conversion. Yet the introduction to this prayer, and its own easy assurance of how soon God will heal the wounds He has made, as well as the impatience with which God receives it, oblige us to take the prayer in another sense than the hymn which has been derived from it. It offers but one more symptom of the optimism of this light-hearted people, whom no discipline and no judgment can impress with the reality of their incurable decay. They said of themselves, The bricks are fallen, let us build with stones, and now they say just as easily and airily of their God, He hath torn only that He may heal: we are fallen, but He will raise us up again in a day or two. At first it is still God who speaks.

I am going My way, I am returning to My own place, until they feel their guilt and seek My face. When trouble comes upon them, they will soon enough seek Me, saying:-

Come and let us return to Jehovah;

For He hath rent, that He may heal us,

And hath wounded, that He may bind us up.

He will bring us to life in a couple of days;

On the third day He will raise us up again,

That we may live in His presence.

Let us know, let us follow up to know, Jehovah:

As soon as we seek Him, we shall find Him

And He shall come to us like the winter-rain,

Like the spring-rain, pouring on the land!

But how is this fair prayer received by God? With incredulity, with impatience. What can I make of thee, Ephraim? what can I make of thee, Judah? since your love is like the morning cloud and like the dew so early gone. Their shallow hearts need deepening. Have they not been deepened enough? Wherefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgment goeth forth like the lightning. For real love have I desired, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

Israel’s Restoration Envisioned

The ultimate purpose of the Lord’s judgment on His people was to restore them (cf. Hos. 2:5-7). Having received the just punishment for their sins, God’s people would turn to Him in repentance. The Hebrew word rendered they admit their guilt should be translated they bear [their] punishment (cf. its use in Hos. 10:2; 13:16). God would not hear their prayers. He would go back to His place like a lion returning to its lair (cf. Hos. 5:14) till the nation underwent its punishment. In contrast with their earlier hypocritical quest for the Lord through sacrificial ritual (cf. Hos. 5:6), the people will genuinely and earnestly seek Him.