Hosea 10

Name: Hosea
Author: BiblePics
ISBN: Your ISBN Number

Idols God Seeking Punishment Judgment Covenant Righteousness Sin Fear Trust

God accuses Israel of relying on false security and material wealth instead of God.

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Bible version

Israel's False Security

1 Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

2 Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

3 For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

5 The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

6 It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

7 As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.

8 The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

9 O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

10 It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

11 And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.

12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

14 Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

15 So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.

Commentary

Hosea 10 is a powerful chapter that speaks to the consequences of Israel’s sin and idolatry. The chapter begins with a warning to Israel that their sin has caused them to be like a “luxuriant vine” that produces “worthless fruit” (v. 1). This imagery is used to illustrate the fact that Israel’s sin has caused them to be unfruitful and unproductive. The Lord then goes on to describe how Israel has turned away from Him and instead has chosen to worship idols. This has caused the Lord to become angry and He promises to punish Israel for their idolatry. The Lord then goes on to describe how Israel’s sin has caused them to be like a “heap of ruins” (v. 8). This imagery is used to illustrate the fact that Israel’s sin has caused them to be destroyed and desolate. The Lord then goes on to describe how Israel’s sin has caused them to be like a “thorn” that is “planted in a meadow” (v. 13). This imagery is used to illustrate the fact that Israel’s sin has caused them to be like a weed that is growing in a place where it does not belong. The chapter ends with a warning to Israel that if they do not repent of their sin and turn back to the Lord, then He will punish them severely. This is a powerful reminder to us all that we must turn away from our sin and turn back to the Lord if we want to avoid His wrath.