6 Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way.
6 Therefore I will hedge up her
6 But I'll fix her: I'll dump her in a field of thistles, then lose her in a dead-end alley.
6 "Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, And wall her in, So that she cannot find her paths.
6 "For this reason I will fence her in with thornbushes. I will block her path with a wall to make her lose her way.
7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
7 He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains.
7 He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has made my chains heavy;
7 He shuts me in so I'll never get out, manacles my hands, shackles my feet.
7 He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out; He has made my chain heavy.
7 He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains.
(Read Lamentations 3:1-20)
The prophet relates the more gloomy and discouraging part of his experience, and how he found support and relief. In the time of his trial the Lord had become terrible to him. It was an affliction that was misery itself; for sin makes the cup of affliction a bitter cup. The struggle between unbelief and faith is often very severe. But the weakest believer is wrong, if he thinks that his strength and hope are perished from the Lord.
9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
9 He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked.
9 he has blocked my ways with blocks of stones; he has made my paths crooked.
9 He sets up blockades with quarried limestone. He's got me cornered.
9 He has blocked my ways with hewn stone; He has made my paths crooked.
9 He has blocked my way with a high stone wall; he has made my road crooked.
(Read Lamentations 3:1-20)
The prophet relates the more gloomy and discouraging part of his experience, and how he found support and relief. In the time of his trial the Lord had become terrible to him. It was an affliction that was misery itself; for sin makes the cup of affliction a bitter cup. The struggle between unbelief and faith is often very severe. But the weakest believer is wrong, if he thinks that his strength and hope are perished from the Lord.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 2:6
Commentary on Hosea 2:6-13
(Read Hosea 2:6-13)
God threatens what he would do with this treacherous, idolatrous people. They did not turn, therefore all this came upon them; and it is written for admonition to us. If lesser difficulties be got over, God will raise greater. The most resolute in sinful pursuits, are commonly most crossed in them. The way of God and duty is often hedged about with thorns, but we have reason to think it is a sinful way that is hedged up with thorns. Crosses and obstacles in an evil course are great blessings, and are to be so accounted; they are God's hedges, to keep us from transgressing, to make the way of sin difficult, and to keep us from it. We have reason to bless God for restraining grace, and for restraining providences; and even for sore pain, sickness, or calamity, if it keeps us from sin. The disappointments we meet with in seeking for satisfaction from the creature, should, if nothing else will do it, drive us to the Creator. When men forget, or consider not that their comforts come from God, he will often in mercy take them away, to bring them to think upon their folly and danger. Sin and mirth can never hold long together; but if men will not take away sin from their mirth, God will take away mirth from their sin. And if men destroy God's word and ordinances, it is just with him to destroy their vines and fig-trees. This shall be the ruin of their mirth. Taking away the solemn seasons and the sabbaths will not do it, they will readily part with them, and think it no loss; but He will take away their sensual pleasures. Days of sinful mirth must be visited with days of mourning.