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Hos_8:14 For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
Ver. 14. For Israel hath forgotten his maker] Not more his factor than his benefactor, as, 1Sa_12:6, the Lord made Moses and Aaron, i.e. he advanced them to that honour in his Church. So our Saviour is said to have made twelve, when he ordained them to the apostleship, Mar_3:14. And the apostle saith of Israel, that God exalted the people, when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, Act_13:17, sc. to the privilege of his peculiar people, the possession of the promised land, the custody of his oracles and services, &c., besides the many benefits and deliverances wrought for them. All which they are said to have forgotten: 1. Because they laid them not to heart, see Isa_57:11, they saw not God in them; 2. Because their lives were not answerable; they walked not worthy of such a God; but said (in effect), "We are delivered to do all these abominations," Jer_7:10. God challengeth remembrance, and well he may, Ecc_12:1, for he hath created us for his glory, Isa_43:7, he hath formed us, yea, he hath made us (as it followeth there, and all that we might remember him): the word (made) is used for a degree of grace after creation. Those that are his workmanship, his artificial facture ( ðïéçìá ), created in Christ Jesus (who is the beginning of this creation of God, Rev_3:14) unto good works, Eph_2:10, if ever they should forget God (which is the character of a wicked man, Psa_50:22); if they should forsake God that made them, and lightly esteem tha Rock of their salvation, Deu_32:15, as Solomon did the Lord that had appeared unto him twice; if they should not prefer him above their chief joy, or make him ascend above the head of their joy (as the Hebrew hath it, Psa_137:6), and set him over all, as Pharaoh did Joseph (causing sun, moon, and stars to do obeisance to him), I mean, all their natural, moral, temporal, and spiritual abilities to be subject and serviceable to him; he would have an unanswerable action against them, and both heaven and earth Would have cause to blush at their disingenuity and unthankfulness. Let it ever be remembered, that of all things God cannot abide to be forgotten.
And buildeth temples] To God, no doubt; and yet, because they worshipped him not in his own way they are said to have forgotten him: so do Papists in all their structures, vowed presents, and memories (as they call them). In King Stephen’s time here, notwithstanding all the miseries of war, there were more Abbeys built than in a hundred years before. But who required those things at their hands? Christus opera nostra non tam actibus quam finibus pensat (Zanchius). Now the end why those temples and monasteries were built appears in stories to be pro remissione et redemptione peccatorum, pro remedio et liberatione animae: pro amore coelestis patriae: in honorem gloriosae Virginis, in eleemosynam animae, &c., for remission of sins, redemption of souls, honour of the Virgin Mary, and other superstitious ends and uses.
And Judah hath multiplied fenced cities] As thinking thereby to fence themselves against God’s wrath, to mott themselves up against his fire that had burnt up the ten tribes, and threatened them. Strong cities and munitions may be lawfully built; but then their foundations must not be laid upon fireworks. If sin be at the bottom (as the voice from heaven is said to have told Phocas), though they build as high as heaven it will not do. Babylon’s thick walls and large provisions could not secure her from the enemy; Samaria held out for two or three years, but was surprised at last by the Assyrian; so was Jerusalem by the Babylonians, and then by the Romans, Isa_22:8-10. Great fault is found with this people, for their warlike preparations with neglects of God, Hos_8:11, and of deep and downright humiliation, Hos_8:12-14. The name of the Lord is the strongest tower, Pro_18:10. But cursed is he that maketh flesh his arm, that trusteth in men, though never so great; or means, though never so likely, Jer_17:5, those were never true to those that trusted them. The Jebusites were beaten out of their fort, though they presumed it impregnable. The men of Shechem were burned out, Jdg_9:49 : so shall Judah be; for,
I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof] The enemy did this, but not without the Lord; who cannot brook it that men should trust in palaces and strongholds; and as Luther well observeth, in this whole chapter is fully set forth whence it is that strong palaces and flourishing kingdoms come to nought; it is because men believe not in God, but trust to their own strength, Deu_28:52; they fortify themselves against an enemy, but do not pacify God’s displeasure; who is himself a devouring fire, and can quickly quash all our forces, and confute our confidences.