Trusting in Human Support Rather than God
Hosea 8
Hosea 8
Disobedience to God’s Word and Turning to Idols (8:1-3)
CHAPTER 8
1 Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He cometh as an eagle against the house of Jehovah, because they have transgressed my covenant, and rebelled against my law. 2 They shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee; we, Israel. 3 Israel hath cast off good: the enemy shall pursue him.
vv.1-3 Israel Has Broken God’s Covenant.
4 They have set up kings, but not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not; of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. 5 Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will they be incapable of purity? 6 For from Israel is this also: — a workman made it, and it is no God: for the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.
vv.4-6 Israel’s Self-Appointed Kings and Idolatrous Calf.
7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; should it sprout, it would yield no meal; if so be it yield, strangers shall swallow it up. 8 Israel is swallowed up: now are they become among the nations as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
v.7 The Consequences of Israel’s Sin.
The Folly of Trusting in Human Strength: In Others, Idols, or Self (8:9-14)
9 For they are gone up to Assyria as a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers. 10 Although they hire among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall begin to be straitened under the burden of the king of princes.
vv.9-10 Seeking Help from Assyria.
11 Because Ephraim hath multiplied altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. 12 I have prescribed unto him the manifold things of my law: they are counted as a strange thing. 13 They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; Jehovah hath no delight in them. Now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.
vv.11-13 Israel’s Sacrifices Rejected Because of Its Sin.
14 For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
v.14 Israel Forgets Its Maker, Judah Trusts in Its Own Strength.