Hosea 10

Hosea 10:1

AN empty Vine] After they have been desolated and preyed upon by their enemies, or deprived of my favour, and laid waste like a wildernesse: I have in part restored them, and have made them to prosper; but the more I have blessed them; the more they are become Idolatrous.

Hosea 10:2

Is divided] Having taken away the spirit of peace and concord from them, he hath given them over to seditions, factions, and frequent murthers of Princes, which will cause the utter ruine of the Kingdome: see 2 Kings 1:1-18. 10, 14, 25, 30.

Hosea 10:3

For now] Within a very short time What then should] Though we had one; yet he could not free us or defend us.

Hosea 10:4

Swaring] To God, and promising him conversion and service: Or, to their King, inding themselves to be faithfull to him: Or, to the King of Assyria; being subject to him: 2 King 17. 3, 4 Thus judgement] Gods punishments shall multiply like Cicuta; or other poysonous herbes, which grow in abundance in the fields.

Hosea 10:5

Because of] Seeing their Idols taken and carried away by the enemies The 〈…〉] th Ialian, The 〈…〉ves] He calleth those 〈…〉 so in contempt Of Bethavn] See Hos. 4 15.〈…〉of] the Italian, Of the Clfe] A people that deserves no more to be called Gods people; but he Clfe their Idols people. See Numbers 21. 29 Fr the glory] Because it shall be no more worshipped nor reverenced as a God.

Hosea 10:6

It shall be] namely, That Calfe; according to the custome of carrying away the Idols of those Nations which were conquered by warre: see Isaiah 46:2 To King Iarb] the Italian, To the King rotector] namely, The King of Assyria, whom the Iraelites have chosen for their Protector and Defendor, Hosea 5:13 Ephraim] Or shame shal overtake Ephraim Of his] namely, Of that which he hath undertaken of his owne mind, beyond, and against the will of God, Psal. 106. 43. Hosea 11:6.

Hosea 10:7

The some] the Italian, A bubble] Which is suddenly framed upon the water when it raines, or when the water boyles; and passeth away also in an instant.

Hosea 10:8

Of Aven] Which is the same as Beth-aven The sinne] The object and instruments of Idolatry, Deuteronomy 9:21 Cover us] Words of such persons as desire death, for feare of evils that are greater than death; and of such as are in despaire.

Hosea 10:9

From the dayes] that is to say; The horrible sinnes of Gibeah: Judges 19:22. which were then so severly punished, doe still continue, and increase in thee They stood] Though their fathers were no better then they of Gibeah, against whom they warred, because of their infamous wickednesses; yet the Lord delivered them out of those bloody battels.

Hosea 10:10

Chastice them] Now, that they have heaped up their measure: I will satisfie my wrath with their just punishment Two furrowes] This hath a relation to the two invasions of the King of Assyria: 2 Kings 15. 29. and 17. 3. And because the Assyrians had beene as the lovers of the children of Israel, Hosea 8:9-10. the Prophet useth a word which signifieth an appointment of some unchaste meeting.

Hosea 10:11

And Ephraim] As a lusty Heyfer which is used to thresh corne upon the floore, loues that trade, partly; because she is free from the yoake, and doth not take much paines: partly, because she hath good food: even so my people would enjoy my blessings, but would not be subject to the yoake of mine obedience and discipline But I passed] I will tame her, and bring her into subjection.

Hosea 10:12

Sowe to your selves] Endevour your selves to doe good workes, and the Lord shall be propitious to you; prepare your hearts, which are like a waste ground, by true repentance: to receive Gods grace, which is like a shwe of raine In righteusnesse] namely; In his grace and blessing, according to the truth of his promises. Others doe understand this to be spoken by Christ, who brought the true righteousnesse into the world: Daniel 9:24. To receive which, the preparation of the heart is necessarily required.

Hosea 10:13

Have plowed] By Art and Endevour, you have strred up and practised your native malice, to cause it to produce many evill acts Wickednesse] namely, The just punishment thereof Have eaten] You have in effect, tried what vanity there was in your hopes, grounded upon your wickednesses, and upon humane strength.

Hosea 10:14

Salman] This history is mentioned no where else: some hold this to be the same as Shalmaneser: 2 Kings 17:3. and Betharbel to be the name of some city, taken and destroyed by him, 1Ma 9:2. There is mention made of Arbela, which may be the same as this The mother] A proverbiall kind of speech, to describe a totall destruction: See Genesis 32:11.

Hosea 10:15

So shall] Your Idolatry which you run headlong into; the chiefe place whereof is Bethel; shall be the cause of your destruction in the same kind In a morning] As soone as the day prefixed for Gods judgements to light upon him, shall appeare.