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Hosea 8

World English Bible

WEB

1“Put the trumpet to your lips! Something like an eagle is over Yahweh’s house, because they have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law. 2They cry to me, ‘My God, we, Israel, acknowledge you!’ 3Israel has cast off that which is good. The enemy will pursue him. 4They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I didn’t approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, that they may be cut off. 5Let Samaria throw out his calf idol! My anger burns against them! How long will it be until they are capable of purity? 6For this is even from Israel! The workman made it, and it is no God; indeed, the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces. 7For they sow the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind. He has no standing grain. The stalk will yield no head. If it does yield, strangers will swallow it up. 8Israel is swallowed up. Now they are among the nations like a worthless thing. 9For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired lovers for himself. 10But although they sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them; and they begin to waste away because of the oppression of the king of mighty ones. 11Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they became for him altars for sinning. 12I wrote for him the many things of my law, but they were regarded as a strange thing. 13As for the sacrifices of my offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but Yahweh doesn’t accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish their sins. They will return to Egypt. 14For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces; and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; but I will send a fire on his cities, and it will devour its fortresses.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Hosea Chapter 8 presents a powerful message of warning and judgment against the nation of Israel for their unfaithfulness to God. The chapter begins with a call to sound the trumpet, signaling the impending judgment due to Israel's transgressions. The people are accused of rejecting God's law and engaging in idolatry, as they have set up kings and princes without divine approval. This disobedience is highlighted in verses that describe their reliance on foreign alliances and their worship of golden calves, which symbolize their departure from true worship of the Lord. The chapter emphasizes that their actions have consequences, as God will not accept their sacrifices or offerings, for they are tainted by their unfaithfulness (#idolatry, #sacrifice).

The Lord, through the prophet Hosea, expresses His sorrow over Israel's choices, stating that they have sown the wind and will reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). This metaphor illustrates the futility of their actions and the inevitable judgment that will follow. The chapter concludes with a stark reminder that Israel's rebellion will lead to their destruction, as they will be carried away into captivity. Hosea's message serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of turning away from His commandments, urging the people to return to their covenant relationship with Him. The themes of judgment, repentance, and the call to return to God resonate throughout this chapter, making it a crucial part of Hosea's prophetic ministry.

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Referenced by

  1. Jeremiah 13:24-25v7Jeremiah 13:24-25 speaks of scattering Israel like chaff before the wind due to their unfaithfulness, which is echoed in Hosea 8:7, where sowing the wind results in reaping the whirlwind, symbolizing the consequences of Israel's actions.
  2. Jeremiah 14:10v13Jeremiah 14:10 speaks of the people's love for wandering and not restraining their feet, which is echoed in Hosea 8:13, where God expresses His displeasure with Israel's sacrifices due to their disobedience.

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