Hosea 8

Hosea 8:1

Loudly and earnestly warn these Israelites, who profess to be my people, that the Assyrians shall quickly and unavoidably tear, murder, and destroy them, because they have violated their covenant-obligations to me, and rebelled against my commandments

Hosea 8:2

In their distress they will indeed profess to acknowledge me for their God

Hosea 8:3

But, since they have practically rejected me and my worship, and cast off any due regard to my laws, the Assyrians shall pursue, murder, and carry them captive

Hosea 8:4

Without any 104 116* regard to my commandment, they have set up what kings and governors they pleased; and, to their own ruin, have made themselves idols of silver and gold

Hosea 8:5

But the idol calf, which they have placed at Samaria, Dan, Beth-el, or any where else, instead of protecting these obstinate sinners, provokes me to abandon them to their enemies

Hosea 8:6

According to their own invention, not any command of mine, the craftsman formed that merely pretended deity; and quickly shall it, unable to protect itself, be broken to pieces

Hosea 8:7

In their idolatrous courses and Heathen alliances, they but hasten upon themselves fearful miseries; and any appearance of success, which they have for a while, shall but tempt the Assyrians to invade and ruin their country

Hosea 8:8

They shall certainly be spoiled and devoured; and the poor remains of them, in a most despicable condition, be dispersed among the Heathens of Assyria and the places adjacent. 9, 10. Their headstrong application to the Assyrians for help shall but issue in their unhappy captivity. The allies, whom they have procured at great expense, shall turn their enemies, and besiege them in their cities. And the vexatious tribute, imposed upon them by Pul, the powerful monarch of Assyria, is but a prelude to far greater calamities

Hosea 8:11

The multitudes of idolatrous altars which they have erected, instead of atoning for their sin, or preventing their punishment, shall increase both

Hosea 8:12

I have, in the most clear and instructive manner, revealed to them my oracles, directing them in every thing important in time or eternity; but they have quite disregarded my institutions, and abused my prophets, as setters forth of strange doctrines or insignificant fables

Hosea 8:13

Their sacrifices, which, without inward piety, they pretend to offer to me, but feast on themselves, I regard as no better than dead carrion; yea, they but hasten the punishment of their sins, and their flight into Egypt, for fear of the Assyrians

Hosea 8:14

Forgetful of their Maker and God, and regardless of his laws, the Israelites build temples for their idols, and the Jews fortify their cities, to secure themselves from the enemy. But the Assyrians or Chaldeans shall, ere long, burn and destroy them all

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VIII.—Ministers had need to be extremely bold and earnest in warning sinners. Men’s own sins are their destroyers. God never casts off any till they cast off him. They who break his covenant of friendship, expose themselves to the devouring rage of all around. Nor will any profession of relation to, or knowledge of, God, avail those who in works deny him. The idolizing of creatures makes way for the destruction of both them and ourselves; and, however gradually God’s judgments may come, they will fall irresistibly at last. None are more despicable than professed Christians who have degenerated into profaneness. And the helps that men court instead of God will but prove the means of their ruin. If the great doctrines and laws 10 A of his word be disregarded, no sacrifices, however costly, no forms of religion, can avail, but to aggravate our guilt or hasten our ruin. And neither temples nor fortifications can protect in the day of his wrath