CHAPTER 10

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.

God planted Israel as a "vine" for Himself. But she is producing fruit only to HERself. In her prosperity (given by God), Israel was wasting her substance. She was "found faulty" because her "heart is(was) divided."

OH MAN! You were created for but one purpose: to please God. OH CHRISTIAN! You were purchased out of slavery by the priceless blood of Christ for but one reason: to bring "fruit" for the Master.

In our prosperity (given by God) we have invented "time-saving" devices. We have utilized corporate structure and business ingenuity to reduce the workweek to 40 hours.

But what do we do with the time and energy saved? Are we wasting it on IDOLS? Are we worshippers of leisure more than God? Are we FAILING in our PURPOSES?

God called Israel to account for her wastefulness of time and energy on idols. Shall He not call us to account also? And if the "righteous are scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinners appear?" (See 1Peter 4:18)

Israel complained they had "no king" (verse 3) to deliver them from the trouble. Even a GOOD king can not lead a people who are bent on wasting their time and energy on ugodly purposes. In the New Testament, when Christ was presented to the Jews as "your king" (John 19:14-15), the priests cried out, "We have no king but Caesar!" Indeed! When unrighteous people are bent on pleasure seeking, they desire only a king of pleasure and will not adhere to the King of Righteousness!

The kings of Israel made "covenant" (verse 4) with other nations to try and "side-step" the prophecy of destruction. But God would plant "hemlock" in their vain attempts. Hemlock is a very BITTER plant!

Bitter is the result of sin!

5 The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: 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.

When the people were conquered, they saw their idols carried away and they FEARED because of their sinfulness. The corrupt priests who had danced and praised the idols were exposed as charlatans.

The golden idols were carried to the king who contended with Israel (Jareb means "he who contends"). Israel was shamed then because their idol could do nothing to save them.

The last king of Israel, Hoshea, was captured and shut up in prison (2Kings 17:4). There is no mention of him after that. Then Assyria besieged Samaria for three years. Samaria fell, and more captives were carried away into Assyrian lands. Israel had no more kings after this.

The idols being covered by "thorn and thistle" showed barrenness. All the idols of mankind are but figments of the imaginative works of charlatans. They are useless, barren. And, when God appears in judgment they are exposed for their worthlessness.

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.

The "days of Gibeah" is a reference to Judges 19. The sin which began and grew so strong was the sin of homosexuality (See Judges 19:22-25).

Notice that God says it is His "desire" to chastise Israel. As children, they have reached the limit of grace, and will now suffer disciplinary action.

The people had received favor and grace. God had treated them as "an heifer that is taught." He had given them grace upon grace, and caused no heavy burden to be upon them. But now God will cause them "to ride," or have a heavy burden upon their necks.

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 Beth-arbel 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.

Still, God is patient and longsuffering. He calls for the peole to REPENT (Vs 12). If they would repent God would "rain righteousness" upon them.

Those who sow wickedness reap iniquity! To trust in men rather than God is to eat "the fruit of lies."

The result of such is destruction! Terrible destruction (see vs 14).

Hosea's prophecy preceded the soon to come fall of Samaria, where the king was cut off "in a morning."

Isn't God amazing? He sent the prophecy beforehand so that He might call them to repentance. What a sad thing they would not heed the Lord and repent!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.