Israel's Apostasy
Hosea 8, verse 1. “He shall come into their midst like the land, Like an eagle against the house of the Lord, Because they broke My covenant And acted impiously against My law. Hosea 8, verse 2. They shall cry out to Me, saying, ‘O God, we know You.’ Hosea 8, verse 3. For Israel has turned away from good things; They have pursued an enemy. Hosea 8, verse 4. “They made kings for themselves, but not by Me. They have ruled, but they did not make it known to Me. They made idols for themselves with their silver and gold That they might be utterly destroyed. Hosea 8, verse 5. Get rid of your calf, O Samaria. My anger is kindled against them. How long will they be unable to purge themselves in Israel? Hosea 8, verse 6. A workman made it, And it is not God; Therefore your calf, O Samaria, was a deceiver. Hosea 8, verse 7. “For they sowed wind-damaged seeds, And their destruction shall await them; A sheaf of corn cannot produce flour; And even if the seeds should produce it, Strangers would devour it. Hosea 8, verse 8. Israel is swallowed up. Now he has become as a worthless vessel among the nations. Hosea 8, verse 9. For they have gone up to the Assyrians; Ephraim has sprouted again against himself; They loved gifts. Hosea 8, verse 10. Therefore they shall be handed over to the nations. Now I will receive them, And they will stop awhile to anoint a king and princes. Hosea 8, verse 11. “Because Ephraim has multiplied altars, His beloved altars have become sins to him. Hosea 8, verse 12. I will write a multitude of statutes for him, For his statutes are considered as strange things, As well as his beloved altars. Hosea 8, verse 13. For if they should offer a sacrifice and eat flesh, The Lord would not accept them. Now He will remember their wrongdoings And take vengeance on their sins. They have returned to Egypt, And they shall eat unclean things among the Assyrians. Hosea 8, verse 14. “Israel has forgotten Him who made him. They have built temples, And Judah has multiplied walled cities; But I will send fire upon his cities, And it shall devour their foundations.”