689-611 B.C.

Hosea 10)

1 Israel is a productive (or, luxurious) vine, he brings forth fruit like himself (i.e. not for Me): according to the multitude of his fruit he has increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly upright pillars. (I.e. 'Asherahs. This is what they do with God's blessings.)
2 Their heart is divided (they are crazy. Cp. 1 Kings 18:21. 2 Kings 17:32,33,41); now shall they be held guilty (referring back to 9:17): He shall break down their altars, He shall spoil their images. (Cp. Ex. 23:24; 34:13. Deut. 7:5; 12:3.)
3 For now they shall say, "We have no king, because we feared not the LORD (they don't think He exists); what then should a king do for us?" (I. e. profit.)
4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant (false teachers): thus judgment springs up as poppy in the furrows of the field. (Cp. Deut. 29:18; 32:32,33.)
5 The inhabitants of Samaria (see v.7; 7:1; 8:5,6; 13:16) shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven (see 4:15): for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests of Baal (not priests of God. Cp. Mark 13:5,6) thereof that leap (or exult) on it (cp. 1 Kings 18:26), for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it. (Refers to the history [1 Sam. 4:21,22.)
6 It shall be also carried to Assyria for a present to king Jareb (see 5:13): Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel. (I.e. the policy of Jeroboam. You are suppose to take counsel from God. Cp. Isa. 14:24 - Adversary.)
7 As for Samaria, her king is cut off on the face of the waters. (Whitecaps with no wind are no more.)
8 The high places also of Aven, the sin (put for the idols associated with it) of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle (cp. Gen. 3:18. Ex. 22:6,&c.) shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains (such as Bet-el in the hill country of Ephraim [Judg. 4:5]. Contrast Gen. 49:2,6), "Cover us;" and to the hills, "Fall on us." (Places of worship. See Rev. 6:16. They found out they were worshiping Satan. They listened to the "Rapture", a false teaching.)

9 O Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah (see 9:9 and Judg. 19 and 20): there they stood (in battle array): the battle in Gibeah against the sons of iniquity did not overtake them [and shall you escape]? (They didn't make a stand.)
10 I am resolved that I should chastise them (put on the yoke of Christ, not the one of this world.); and the peoples shall be gathered against them, they being joined (or yoked in cohabitation. Put for idolatries) together in committing idolatries. (Double minded. Yoked together as oxen in committing the same sins of Idolatry. See vv.11-13.)
11 And Ephraim (i.e. the land of Ephraim. Here is the contrast. See 9:8) is as an heifer (cp. Jer. 50:11. Mic. 4:13) that is taught, and loves to tread out the corn; but I put a yoke upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob (put for Ephraim) shall break his clods. (She thought she had it easy, but He made it tough on her.)
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. (The latter rain. It is falling today. Cp. Deut. 32:2. Love is what He want. Do what is right. Stand for the Father.)
13 You have sown lawlessness, you have reaped iniquity (You will get what you sow); you have eaten the fruit of lies: because you did confide in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men. (United Nations. A no no!)
14 Therefore shall a tumult arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman (= fire worshiper. He may be Salamanu, king of Moab, a tributary of Tiglath-Pileser III, a contemporary of Hosea) spoiled Beth-arbel (= house of ambush of God. Probably now Irbid, near Pella, in the Ajlun, east of Jordan) in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her sons. (Sets you up so that you will spiritually die. If you play with fire, you're going to get burned [spiritually].)
15 So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning (in one day) shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. (Cp. v.7. The leader of that day will be cut off because of one world-ism. Part of Rev. 12:6,7)

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