HOSEA 8
Set the trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture is over the house of the Lord,
because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law.
2 To me they cry, “My God, we—Israel—know you.”
3 Israel has spurned the good; the enemy shall pursue him.
4 They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not.
With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction.
5 I have spurned your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them.
How long will they be incapable of innocence? 6 For it is from Israel;
a craftsman made it; it is not God. The calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.
– Hosea 8:1-6
HOSEA 8 SOW THE WIND & REAP THE WHIRLWIND
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, obeying his law is your life
God is faithful and expects your whole heart, soul and mind
When you don’t follow his law, you are rebelling against him
You will surely reap the consequences of this grievous sin
God hates all forms of wickedness, idolatry and adultery
Turn away from sins that He hates, repent and return to Him.
Coffman’s commentary summarizes this chapter as “sow the wind reap the whirlwind.”
He says that this chapter is a continuation of the sad lament and prophecy of the forthcoming destruction. In verse 1, trumpets usually alarm or give notice of either a victory or some threat coming to them. It was a warning of coming doom to them as a consequence of their sin against the Lord. According to Ward’s commentary, “the vulture was referring to Assyria since it was the obvious threat to Israel’s sovereignty in the eighth century B.C.” Verse 2 is an insincere cry for help to God when they are actually asking the other gods for help as well. In verse 4, Boice comments “To choose leaders without the direction of God is not only sinful, it is foolish. Those who follow their own wisdom in the choice of leaders inevitably get what they deserve.”
REFLECTION
- Why do you think some commentaries summarize this chapter as “sow the wind and reap the whirlwind?”
