I
THE INTERREGNUM AND “AFTERWARD”
THE short chapter of five verses (Hosea iii.), which is to form our first subject, divides itself naturally into two parts, the first three verses being the record of a symbolical transaction, and the last two verses a verbal prophecy. The two parts are, however, vitally connected, for the symbolism of the first verses serves as an illustration of the truth presented in the prophecy, while the prophecy is an explanation of the symbolical transaction. There is, in fact, but one great truth in reference to Israel in this chapter which the Spirit of God wants to teach us in a twofold way; first by an illustration, and then by a verbal explanation.
If we want to know the meaning of the seemingly strange transaction recorded in the first part of the chapter, we find it in a sentence in the first verse, which says that it is “according to,” or “like unto, the love of Jehovah for the children of Israel”; and being an illustration of so lofty and glorious a theme, it is worthy a careful consideration.
The prophet is told to go again and love a woman 1
1 Some have supposed the transaction to have been ideal and that it did not form an actual experience of the prophets life; but
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