Book of Hosea Chapter 7 Vs. 6

WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES 

For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. Hos. 7:6

For they have... He gives the reason of their bursting out into open mischief; it was ever stored up within. They made ready: (literally, brought near), their heart. Their heart was ever brought near to sin, even while the occasion was removed at a distance from it. The oven is their heart; the fuel, their corrupt affections, and inclinations, and evil concupiscence, with which it is filled.

like an oven... Like an oven have they made their hearts with their intriguing. All night their anger sleepeth in the morning it blazes like a flame of fire.

their baker sleepeth... Their own evil will and imagination, which stirs up whatever is evil in them. The prophet then pictures how, while they seem for a while to rest from sin. It is but while they lie in wait; still, all the while, they made and kept their hearts ready, full of fire for sin and passion. Any breathing-time from actual sin was no real rest; the heart was still on fire.

in the morning... Right early, as soon as the occasion came, it burst forth. So, the evil concupiscence in these men's hearts, made hot like an oven, rests all night, devising mischief on their beds. Either against the chastity of their neighbors’ wives, or against the lives of others, they bear an ill will to. Particularly against their judges and their kings (as Hos. 7:7); seems to intimate. And in the morning this lust of uncleanness or revenge is all in a flame, and ready to execute the wicked designs contrived (see Mic. 2:1).

They have turned their hearts over to sinful lust. Lust feeds upon itself and gets hotter and hotter. The lust of this sort springs into action, when it breaks forth in flame.

The NIV rendering, their passion smolders, which has some external support, requires a slight emendation of the Hebrew. The Masoretic text reads, their baker sleeps (cf. KJV). The latter, while certainly more difficult, is not impossible since it is similar in thought to Hos. 7:4 and carries along the comparison of their hearts to an oven. One might paraphrase Hos. 7:6 When they approach the king their hearts, like an oven, contain a fire. Just as the fire burns lowly while the baker is inactive, so their scheme remains a secret. But when their time for action comes, the destructive plot is realized, just as a fire in an oven blazes forth when the time for baking arrives.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 34

 The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:34 “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

This generation shall... The last generation living on earth at the time all these things will be fulfilled. Always used of a particular span of life and not a race of people (note, Mat. 11:16). This proves that all these things will be fulfilled in one generation only and not in several of them. This cannot refer to the generation living at that time of Christ, for all these things, the abomination of desolation (verse 15), the persecutions and judgments (verses 17-22), the false prophets (verses 23-26), the signs in the heavens (verses 27-29), Christ’s final return (verse 30), and the gathering of the elect (verse 31), did not “take place” in their lifetime.

It seems best to interpret Christ’s words as a reference to the generation alive at the time when those final hard labor pains begin. This would fit with the lesson of the fig tree, which stresses the short span of time in which these things will occur.

This is speaking of the generation in whose lifetime all these signs occur. That generation will not pass away until “all these things be fulfilled.” In other words, the previously listed signs will continue to multiply throughout the church age and reach their ultimate climax at the end of the age in the generation of those who will live to see the entire matter fulfilled in their lifetime.

On this principle Mat. 24:32-35 are quite simple and natural, as well as most impressive, and the statement of Mat. 24:34 is seen to be literally accurate.

The completion of all these events is yet future. The generation (genea) of people living in that future day will see the completion of all the events. Jesus was not referring to the generation listening to Him then, for He had already said the kingdom had been taken from that group (Mat. 21:43). That first-century generation would experience God’s judgment. But the generation that will be living at the time these signs begin to take place will live through that period and will see the Lord Jesus coming as the King of glory.

Book of Hosea Chapter 7 Vs. 5

 WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES

In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners. Hos. 7:5

In the day... Their holy days, like those of so many Englishmen now, were days of excess. The day of their king was probably some civil festival; his birthday, or his coronation-day. The prophet owns the king, in that he calls him our king. He does not blame them for keeping the day, but for the way in which they kept it. Their festival was turned into an irreligious and anti-religious carousal; making themselves like the brutes which perish. And tempting their king first to forget his royal dignity, and then to blaspheme the majesty of God. On the day of our king-some coronation or king’s birthday-the princes were sick with fever from wine. He stretched forth his hand with loose fellows," presumably made them his associates.

the princes have... The courtiers who attended at court on such a day to compliment the king upon the occasion, and to drink his health. Drank to him in large cups, perhaps a bottle of wine at once, which he pledges them in the same manner, made him sick or drunk. To make any man drunk is criminal, and especially a king; as it was also a weakness and sin in him to drink to excess, which is not for kings, of all men, to do. Or it may be rendered, the princes became sick through the heat of wine.

he stretched out... Meaning the king, who, in his cups, forgetting his royal dignity, used too much familiarity with persons of low life, and of an ill behavior, irreligious ones. Who, especially when drunk made a jest of all religion; scoffed at good men, and everything that was serious. And even set their mouths against the heavens; denied there was a God or spoke very indecently and irreverently of him. These the king made his drinking companions, took the cup, and drank to them in turn, and shook them by the hand.

Drunkenness goes with sin. Wine dulls the senses and causes one's will to be weak. At all sorts of celebrations, such as the birthday of the king, there were drunken parties. Not only did this wine make them not able to make good decisions, but it gave them a false sense of security as well. This wine dulled their senses for the evil sins they committed. The sad thing is the fact that the king joined the princes in this.

Between 752 and 732 B.C four of Israel’s rulers were assassinated (cf. 2Kgs. 15:1-38). This political intrigue provides the background for Hos. 7:5-7. Here a description is given of how the conspirators characteristically carried out their plots.

The day of the festival of our king probably refers to a special celebration in which the ruler was the center of attention. The king caroused with his princes, who are called mockers probably because they were completely under the influence of wine (cf. Pro. 20:1). While they partied with the naive king, they plotted his overthrow.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 33

 The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:33 “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors.”

ye shall see... Signs are indications that Christ is about to return to earth. Technically, they refer to the revelation of Christ, and not the Rapture. There are obvious signs during the seven year Tribulation before the revelation, but there are no signs that precede the Rapture.

However, there are conditions that suggest the Rapture will happen soon. No one will ever know the date of Jesus’ return until He comes. Still there are certain things happening in our world to suggest that His return may be very close. These are:

1. Israel’s return to the Promised Land;

2. The obvious accelerations of lawlessness;

3. Increase of apostasy (1Tim. 4:1);

4. The sociology-religious climate preparing for the one world church; and

5. The rapid acceleration of life-threatening conditions – such as potential atomic annihilation, population explosion, and pollution, that require Christ’s return before events run their natural course and terminate the world.

Paul listed certain conditions which, though true in every age, appear to be more prevalent today (2Tim. 3:1-5).

it is near,... The second coming, not the rapture, which is not once referred to in Matthew 24-25. There are no signs of the rapture for it is itself one of the greatest signs of the second coming. There are no prophecies to be fulfilled before the rapture for it could have taken place any time in the past or can take place any time in the future without any sign or prophecy coming to pass (Tit. 2:13; Phlp. 3:20-21). All signs of the coming of Christ point to the second coming and not the rapture. There will be at least seven years between the two events. The rapture is not the second coming, nor one phase or stage of it, for Christ does not come to the earth at that time. He meets the saints in the air and takes them back to heaven (1Thes. 2:19; 3:13; Rev. 19:1-11). The saints stay in heaven with Him for these years and then return to the earth at the second coming (Zec. 14:5; Jude 1:14; Rev. 19:11-21).

The Christians in Thessalonica lived in expectation of Christ’s imminent return, just as all Christians ought to live today.

The fig tree is symbolic of the house of Israel. You remember that was what was meant when Jesus cursed the fig tree. So this was talking about when Israel lives again. The blooming means to me is when Israel became a nation in 1948.

Here this Scripture is saying, when you see Israel reunited and become a nation again, know that the coming of the Lord is near. In fact, even at the door.

The Lord’s emphasis fell on the fact that all these things would be necessary. While various events throughout history have been pointed to as the fulfillment of this prophecy, clearly all these things pertaining to the Great Tribulation have never occurred. The completion of all these events is yet future.

Book of Hosea Chapter 7 Vs. 4

 INIQUITY UNCOVERED

They are are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened. Hos. 7:4

They are all... Both spiritually and carnally, and this latter adultery is that which here is charged on the courtiers and people of Israel. Israel was a nation of adulterers. It is not clear whether general breach of covenant (cf. Hos. 6:10) or literal adultery (cf. Hos. 4:2, 4:13-14) is described here, literal in reference to spiritually.

as an oven... The wicked are compared three times to an oven becoming hot and getting out of control (Hos. 4:1-19, 6:1-11, 7:1-16). This vice is grown raging hot among them, as you see the fire in an oven, when the baker, having called up those that make the bread, to prepare all things ready. And the whole mass is leavened, he doth by continued supply of fuel to heat the oven to the highest degree. So does adultery among this people grow by degrees to raging flames. The whole mass of the people is leavened with this vice also, as well as the court. And every one inflamed with this unclean fire, as the oven heated by the baker. In either case Israel’s passion for disobedience was like a fire burning low in an oven while the baker kneads the dough and waits for the leavening process to be completed. Like an oven fire, Israel’s passion might subside for a short time, but it was ever present, ready to blaze forth when kindled (cf. Hos. 7:6).

There follows now a very difficult passage. The text is corrupt, and we have no means of determining what precise events are intended. The drift of meaning, however, is evident. The disorder and licentiousness of the people are favored in high places; the throne itself is guilty.

"With their evil they make a king glad, and princes with their falsehoods: all of them are adulterers, like an oven heated by the baker"

after he hath... Having kneaded the dough, and put in the leaven, he lets it alone to work till the whole mass is leavened, taking his rest in the meanwhile. As the former clause expresses the vehement desire of the people after adultery, spiritual or corporeal. This may signify their continuance in it; or rather the willful negligence of the king, priests, and prophets, who, instead of awaking them out of their sleep on a bed of adultery, let them alone in it, until they were all infected with it.

leaven, speaks of sin. The fact that it is leavened means it has risen to the height of sin. This adultery, again, is spiritual adultery. They are unfaithful to God. The kneading speaks of working the leaven down. It does not stay down. The sin is too great.

The wicked are compared three times to an oven becoming hot and getting out of control (Hos. 4:1-19, 6:1-11, 7:1-16).

Israel was a nation of adulterers. It is not clear whether general breach of covenant (cf. Hos. 6:10) or literal adultery (cf. Hos. 4:2, 4:13-14) is described here. In either case Israel’s passion for disobedience was like a fire burning low in an oven while the baker kneads the dough and waits for the leavening process to be completed. Like an oven fire, Israel’s passion might subside for a short time, but it was ever present, ready to blaze forth when kindled (cf. Hos. 7:6).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 32

 The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32 “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh:”

parable of the... First of five parables in Matthew 24-25: the fig tree, illustrating the nearness of His return (Mat. 24:32-33). These are the last five parables in Matthew.

A parable (τὴς παραβολήν)

More strictly, the parable which she has to teach. Rightly, therefore, Rev., her parable.

the fig tree... It is universally interpreted to mean the Jewish nation, but this could not possibly be the meaning. Just like a fig tree (Luke adds, and all the trees, Mat. 21:29) putting forth its leaves indicates that summer is near, so likewise the signs of Mat. 24:4-26 indicate the nearness of Christ’s coming. This is all that is meant, so to use a few fig leaves to represent certain events of Israel is just as unscriptural as to pick a few oak leaves to represent truths about Gentiles.

When the fig branch puts forth its leaves, only a short time remains until summer. Likewise, when the final labor pains begin, Christ’s return is near, even at the door (verse 33).

Branch (κλάδος)

From κλάω, to break. Hence a young slip or shoot, such as is broken off for grafting. Such were the branches which were cut down and strewed in the Lord's path by the multitudes (Mat. 21:8).

Appended to the main prophecy are some additional warnings as to time (Mat. 24:32-44) setting forth in the most impressive manner the certainty, the suddenness, and, to those who are not looking for it, the unexpectedness of the coming of the Day of the Lord. Here again, in the first portion the destruction of Jerusalem, and in the latter portion the Day of the Son of man, is prominent.

The Confirmation by Parables

In the previous portion of this sermon (Mat. 24:4-31) Jesus had spoken directly about His return to earth. Then He gave some practical applications and instructions in light of His return. One should keep in mind that the primary application of this section is directed toward the future generation that will experience the days of the Tribulation and will be looking forward to the immediate coming of the King in glory. A secondary application of this passage, as with much of Scripture, is to believers living today who comprise the body of Christ, the church. The church is not in view in these verses. But just as God’s people in a future time are told to be prepared, watchful, and faithful, so too believers today should also be faithful and alert.

The fig trees

(Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33) Jesus’ words, Now learns this lesson, show that He was beginning to apply what He had been teaching. When the twigs of fig trees begin to get tender and put forth leaves, that is a sure sign summer is not far away (cf. Mat. 21:18-20). Just as a fig tree was a harbinger of summer, so these signs (Mat. 24:4-28) Jesus had been speaking of clearly indicated that His coming would follow shortly.

Book of Hosea Chapter 7 Vs. 3

 INIQUITY UNCOVERED

They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. Hos. 7:3

They make the... The evil awakens no alarm, but rather sympathy and gladness, in the breasts of their kings and rulers, who are ready to follow suit in all deeds of violence.

with their lies... With false accusations brought in against the more innocent, or by false reports made of their words and actions, representing them as ridiculous or foolish, amusing them into infamy.

This was a corrupt society. The king was even pleased at the corruption. The king and the princes were just as involved as the people themselves.

The rulers were no different from their subjects. A godly ruler was to oppose all forms of wickedness within his kingdom (cf. Psm. 101:1-8), but these leaders delighted in it.

WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES

There follows now a very difficult passage. The text is corrupt, and we have no means of determining what precise events are intended. The drift of meaning, however, is evident. The disorder and licentiousness of the people are favored in high places; the throne itself is guilty.

With their evil they make a king glad, and princes with their falsehoods:

The rulers were no different from their subjects. A godly ruler was to oppose all forms of wickedness within his kingdom (cf. Psm. 101:1-8), but these leaders delighted in it.