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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 042. Hos 6:4. Religious Inconstancy
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Hos_6:4. Religious Inconstancy
"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 passeth away."—Hos_6:4.
It is not only necessary to commence a religious course, but to continue in well-doing to the end. Israel and Judah had revolted from God: they had done this repeatedly. After presenting a promising aspect of piety, like a deceitful bow they had turned aside. God had thus been disappointed of those genuine fruits of righteousness, which he had justly expected. The case is applicable to many in our own times. Many run well for a season, and are then hindered. Put their hand to the gospel plough, but, by looking back, unfit themselves for the kingdom.
Let us consider,
1. The Characters to whom the Text applies.
The metaphors employed are very striking. The morning cloud, which overhangs he mountain top, but flees before the rising sun. The early dew that moistens the parched earth, and is seen beautifying the flowers and spires of grass, but which is so speedily exhaled, and leaves not a trace behind. The idea presented to us is the evanescence of their piety. It may for a time appear beautiful and real, but it abides not, it passeth away.
The subject applies,
1. To the forgetful hearers of the word.
They attend the house of God—they appear interested and affected—they inspire the friends of religion with hope But alas, the word has no root. Mat_13:20. Like a man that looketh at himself in a glass, &c. Jam_1:24. "Like the morning cloud," &c. It applies,
2. To hasty and inconsiderate professors.
They assume the name and profession of religion, without due care and proper consideration. They enter upon the war fare, and commence building the tower without counting the cost. New difficulties arise, trouble assails them, and then "their goodness is as the morning cloud," &c. It applies,
3. To backsliders in general—
Who cease the good fight—who turn aside from the Lord—desert his cause—return to the beggarly elements of the world, and walk no longer with his believing people. This is produced sometimes,
(1) Through the influence of the world. Its attractions, possessions, alluring pleasures, society, &c.; Demas. Sometimes,
(2) By yielding to the power of sudden temptation. Peter. Also see Gal_6:1.
(3) By unwatchfulness. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, &c.
(4) By indolence and inattention to the duties of religion. Hence we are to give all diligence, &c. 2Pe_1:10; 2Pe_3:4. Their goodness is as the morning cloud, &c.
II. The Consequences of Religious Inconstancy.
1. God is deprived of the fruit he reasonably expected.
See Isa_5:4-7. Parable of talents &c.
2. The church is filled with mourning for her apostate children.
True friends of Zion weep over those who desert her courts, and forsake her banners.
3 The world is hardened in its iniquity.
Unbelievers are established in unbelief—scoffers rejoice—enemies of God triumph—and Christ is wounded in the house of his friends 4. It is peculiarly dreadful to those who are the subjects of this inconstancy.
Mind darkened—heart becomes hard—feelings callous. They become as withered branches, which, if not revived, will be fit only for being cast into the fire and burnt. God is offended—Spirit grieved—prospect darkened—title to glory effaced—meetness for heaven destroyed; and they are subject to that solemn declaration, "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Heb_10:38.
Let us notice then,
III. The Preventives of Religious Inconstancy.
If we would not that our goodness be as the morning cloud and as the early dew, let us,
1. Cultivate a spirit of holy vigilance.
Let us be jealous of ourselves—watchful over our passions—guard against our enemies, &c. 1Pe_5:1.
2. Cultivate a spirit of entire dependence upon God.
He can keep us, and make us fruitful. Let us abide in him—lean upon him, and not trust to our own understanding. We we only kept by "the power of God," &c. 1Pe_1:5.
3. Be active and regular in the use of the appointed means.
Public, domestic, secret; hearing, reading, meditation, and prayer.
4. Live in close communion with God, and always set him before us.
"In the fear of God all the day long." "following hard after him." Anticipating a close and indissoluble union with him in heaven. Walk by faith, &c. Looking at those things which are eternal.
Application
(1) Let the professor be warned. He that thinketh he standeth, &c. (2) The sincere active Christian be encouraged. (3) Backsliders invited to return to the Lord, who is waiting to receive them, and who has encouraged them by declaring, "He will heal all their backslidings, and love them freely." Hos_19:12. (4) To the resolutely careless apostate, proclaim the terrible threatenings of the word of God.