Hosea 10
Lutheran reading notes
In Hosea chapter 10, the prophetic message develops the theme of Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s enduring covenant love. Lutheran interpretation often highlights the contrast between divine judgment against sin and the promise of grace that God provides for those who trust in Him.
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. {an...: or, a vine emptying the fruit which it giveth} {images: Heb. statues, or, standing images}
Hosea 10:1 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images. {Their heart...: or, He hath divided their heart} {break...: Heb. behead} {images: Heb. statues, or, standing images}
Hosea 10:2 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?
Hosea 10:3 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
Hosea 10:4 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {the priests...: or, Chemarim}
Hosea 10:5 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Hosea 10:6 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
{As for} Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water. {the water: Heb. the face of the water}
Hosea 10:7 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Hosea 10:8 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Hosea 10:9 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {when...: or, when I shall bind them for their two transgressions, or, in their two habitations}
Hosea 10:10 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {her...: Heb. the beauty of her neck}
Hosea 10:11 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Hosea 10:12 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Hosea 10:13 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Hosea 10:14 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. {your...: Heb. the evil of your evil}
Hosea 10:15 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.