Hosea 8
Divine proclamation about Israel’s idolatry
1Put a trumpet to your lips! It’s as if a bird of prey has flown over the LORD’s house, because they have broken my covenant, and have not kept my Instruction.2Israel cries to me, “My God, we know you!”
3Israel has turned away from the good; the enemy will pursue him.
4They set up kings, but not through me; they chose princes, but without my knowledge. With silver and gold they crafted idols for their own destruction.
5Your calf is rejected, Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they remain guilty?
6The calf is from Israel, a person made it; it is not God. The calf of Samaria will be smashed.
7Because they sow the wind, they will get the whirlwind. Standing grain, but no fresh growth; it will yield no meal; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it.
Bargains, apostasy, and coming punishment
8Israel is swallowed up; among the nations, they are now like a useless jar.9They have gone up to Assyria, a wild ass wandering alone; Ephraim has hired lovers.
10Though they have bargained with the nations, I will now gather them up. They will soon be diminished due to the burden of kings and princes.
11When Ephraim added more altars to take away sin, they became altars to him for sinning.
12Even though I write out for him a large number of my instructions, they are regarded as strange.
13Though they offer choice sacrifices, though they eat flesh, the LORD doesn’t accept them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins; they will return to Egypt.
14Israel has forgotten his maker, and built palaces; and Judah has multiplied walled cities; but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it will devour his fortresses.