He shall1 grow like the lily,
And1 lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
aHis beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And bhis fragrance like Lebanon.
They shall be revived like grain,
And1 grow like a vine.
Their1 scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
I have heard and observed him.
I am like a green cypress tree;
aYour fruit is found in Me.”
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For athe ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.
| << Hosea 14:6 | Hosea 14:8 >> |
What Does Hosea 14:7 Mean?
Hosea 14:6-7
By some accounts, the scent of the olive tree is not so good, so the symbolism switches back to the cedar tree, as well as to the frankincense tree and the many other trees and plants that made the mountains of Lebanon smell so wonderful.
Revelation 5:8 describes the prayers of the saints as incense, and the church is called a garden of spices in Song of Songs 4:12, 14. Likewise, our spiritual sacrifices carry a sweet aroma to God (Genesis 8:21). When we live a life of obedience to God, as we strive to do now, and when Israel will do so in God's Kingdom, it pleases God as a beautiful perfume is pleasing.
The first part of Hosea 14:7 reads, "Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall be revived like grain, and grow like the vine." "His shadow" might refer to God, but "his branches," "his beauty," and "his fragrance" (verse 6), refer to Israel, so "his shadow" must also. The whole phrase, "dwell under his shadow," denotes protection and reviving, restoration under shelter from adversity. Everyone has sought relief from the harsh rays of the sun in the shade of a tree, just as most have run under the spreading branches of a tree to escape a sudden shower. So will the nation of Israel be a refuge in that time, a fellowship of restoration under the blessings of God.
Those who live within that refuge "shall return"; they will grow again and again like a perennial plant. A lesson for us is that the shadow cast by the church, the spiritual "Israel of God," provides protection and growth. Over the centuries, God has called many into His church, but unfortunately, a great many did not stay. When the sun slipped behind a cloud or when the storm abated, many left the safety of the shadow. Some, however, choose to dwell there, never again leaving the spiritual safety of God's church.
It is these who "shall be revived like grain" and "grow like the vine." Grain, when it is sown, first dies and then revives (I Corinthians 15:35-44), a wonderful analogy of the resurrection of both the firstfruits and those of the White Throne Judgment. These revived ones will "grow like the vine," that is, produce fruit that is pleasing and glorifying to God (John 15:1-8).
Mike Ford
Be There!
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Hosea 14:7:
| << Hosea 14:6 | Hosea 14:8 >> |
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