[:en]SCRIPTURE: HOSEA 8
“Israel cries out to me, ‘O our God, we acknowledge you!’ But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him. ” (Hosea 8:2-3)
“Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning. I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something alien” (Hosea 8:11-12)
“Israel has forgotten his maker and built palaces; Judah has fortified many towns. But I will send fire upon their cities that will consume their fortresses” (Hosea 8:14)
ISRAEL TO REAP THE WHIRLWIND
The trumpet was blown in Israel to warn them of the coming of an enemy. Israel set up kings and chosen princes without God’s consent and approval. They made idols made of silver and gold to worship in defiance of the Lord. God was sending Assyria to Israel and Babylon to Judah. When the eagle came, the cal-idol of Samaria will be broken into pieces. When the whirlwind came, the foreigners will swallow them up. Israel will become a worthless thing like a donkey wandering alone.
Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings but it had become altars for sinning (v. 11). They offered sacrifices for God but disregarded His laws. God punished them by sending fire upon their cities and consuming their fortresses (v. 14)[:]