Workers For Jesus Online Bible Study
The Book of Hosea  
God tells Hosea to marry Gomer. 
 Gomer is unfaithful to Hosea.
God tells Hosea to take Gomer back.
God talks about Israel's sins.
God says He will save Israel even though they have sinned.


Hosea 1


God tells Hosea to marry Gomer.


At this time in history, Israel had split into 2 parts.  The northern part was called Israel. The southern part was called Judah.

God spoke through Hosea. Hosea was the son of Beeri. He lived while Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. In Israel, the king at this time was Jeroboam. His father was Joash.
[1] The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

This is what God told Hosea first: Go find a wife who is currently a prostitute. and have chidlren with her. This is like the land who has sinned and moved away from the Lord.
[2] The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

 So Hosea went and married Gomer. Gomer's father was Diblaim. She got pregnant and had a baby boy.
[3] So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

Jezreel was valley in a fertile part of Israel where things grew well. King Jehu of Israel killed many people there.
God said, "Name the baby Jezreel because soon, I will punish the house Israel for what they did to Jezreel. I will make the kingdom end.
[4] And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

On that day, I will break Israel's bows in the valley of Jezreel.
[5] And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

Gomer became pregnant again. This time, she had a baby girl. God said to Hosea, "Name the baby girl Lo-ruhamah. This means I will not have mercy on Israel anymore.  I will take them away.
[6] And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.

But I will have mercy on Judah.  I will save them."  Their weapons won't save them, but God will save them.
[7] But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

When Lo-ruhamah was older, Gomer had another baby boy.
[8] Now when she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.

God told Hosea, "Name this baby boy Lo-ammi. This means nobody. You are nobody to Me. I will not be your God."
[9] Then said God, Call his name Lo-ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.

But later, there will be more children of Israel than there is sand on the beach. Then, I will say the Israelites are His sons."
[10] Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

Then, the children of Judah and the children of Isael will be brought together. They will pick one leader. It will be a great day for Jezreel.
[11] Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.

Hosea 2

Gomer is unfaithful to Hosea

Talk to your brothers and sisters. Beg your mother to stop.  She is not my wife anymore. I am not her husband.  Tell her to stop dressing like a prostitute.
[1] Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ru-hamah.
[2] Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;

If she doesn't stop, I will remove her clothes so everyone can see her ugly body.  If she has more children, I will not have mercy on them.
[3] Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.
[4] And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.

I will not have mercy on them if their mother was a prostitute when she became pregnant. It will be shameful if she leaves to go and be a prostitute.
[5] For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

So, watch.  I will block the path with thorns. I will make a wall so she cannot find her path.
[6] Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.


She will chase her lovers but she will not catch them. She will look for them, but she won't find them. Then, she will say, "I will go back to my husband. Things were better for me when I was with him.
[7] And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.

She did not know that I gave her corn, wine, and oil.  I gave her extra gold and silver for their sacifice to Baal.
[8] For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.

I will take away the food and wine. I will take away the clothes that cover her body.
[9] Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.
Everyone will see her sinning. No one will help her. Her parties are finished. [10] And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.
[11] I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.

I will destroy the vines and fig trees that were gifts from her lovers. I will let the wild animals eat them.
[12] And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These are my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.

I will punish her for worshiping false gods. She got dressed up and went after other gods. The Lord said, "She forgot Me."
[13] And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.


God's Mercy to Israel
Now, I will show her mercy. I will talk nicely to her. I will give her the vineyards.  I will make the valley of Achor a door of hope.  She will sing there like she did when she was young.  She will sing like she did when she came up out of Egypt.
[14] Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
[15] And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

The Lord said, "On that day, you will call me 'Husband' instead of 'Master'.
 [16] And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.

I will take away the names of the false gods out of her mouth. She won't remember their names anymore.
[17] For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.

On that day, I will make a covenant promise for them. I will make a covenant with the birds, animals, and insects. I will break the weapons.  They will lie down and be safe.
[18] And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.


I will be connected with you forever. I promise you goodness, fairness, mercy, and kindness.
[19] And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

I will promise to be faithful. You will know the Lord.
[20] I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

On that day, I will hear the heavens, and they will hear the earth.  The earth will hear the corn, the wine, and the oil.  They will hear Jezreel.
[21] And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;
[22] And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.

I will make her part of me.  I will have mercy even though she did not earn mercy. I will tell everyone they are My people.  They will say, "You are my God."
[23] And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

Hosea 3


God tells Hosea to take Gomer back.


Then, the Lord said to me, "Go and love your wife even though she was unfaithful to you. This is like the way the Lord loves the Israelites even though they have worshiped other gods."
[1] Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

So, I bought her. I paid 15 pieces of silver, a homer of barley, and another half homer of barley.
[2] So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

I told her, "You will live with me for many days. You will not be a prostitute any more. I will be faithful to you."
[3] And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

The Israelites will live for many days without a king or prince. They will not sacrifice or have holy items. After that, the children of Israel will try to find the Lord their God. They willl seek David their king.  They will fear the Lord and His goodness in the last days.
[4] For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:
[5] Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Hosea 4


God talks about Israel's sins.
Listen to the Lord's word, children of Israel. The Lord is not happy with the people in Israel. There is no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God in Israel.  They are swearing, lying, killing, stealing, commiting adultery, and murder.
[1] Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
[2] By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

That is why Israel mourns. Everyone and everything in the land is dying - people, animals, fish, birds.
[3] Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

I say to the priests, "Don't accuse other people.   I am not happy with you."
[4] Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.

You stumble day and night. The prophets also fall with you at night. I will destroy your mother.
[5] Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.

My people are destroyed because they don't know anything. They have rejected knowledge. I also reject you. You will not be My priest anymore. You have forgotten God's laws.  I will also forget your children.  
[6] My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

They sinned against Me, so I will change their glory into shame.
[7] As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

They eat up the sin of my people. They focus on their sin.  I will punish the priests and the people. I will punish them for their sins.
[8] They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
[9] And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

They will eat but still be hungry. They have sexual relations with prostitutes. They are not following God. Alcohol and immoral sex take away their hearts.
[10] For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.
[11] Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

They ask advice from idols. They have followed other false idols.
[12] My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

They make sacrifices to idols on tops of mountains and under trees.  Your daughters and wives do immoral sexual acts.
[13] They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.

But I won't punish your daughters and wives. The men are to blame because they go to prostitutes.
[14] I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.


Even though Israel behaves like a prostitute, don't take Judah down.  Don't go to the bad places at Gilgal and Beth-aven. Don't swear with the Lord's name.
[15] Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.


Ephraim is used as another name for the northern kingdom, Israel. .
Israel is backsliding like a cow.  Now, the Lord will feed its people like lambs in a field.
[16] For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.


Ephraim is connected to idols. Leave him alone. Its people drink and behave immorally. Its rulers love to behave badly.
[17] Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
[18] Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.
[19] The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.


Hosea 5


Listen to this, you priests.  Listen, house of Israel and its king. You will be judged because you have trapped people in Mizpah and Tabor. I have rebuked them all for doing bad, but they still want to kill people.

[1] Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
[2] And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.


Ephraim and Israel are not hidden. I know what they do. They have sinned against Me.
[3] I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

They will not turn to God. They have evil spirits. They have not known the Lord.
[4] They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.

Judah, Israel, and Ephraim will fall because of the bad things they have done.
[5] And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.


They will go with their animals to look for God. But, they will not find Him. He has left them.
[6] They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.

They have treated Me bad for a long time. Now, they will be devoured.
[7] They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.

Blow your cornet in Gibeah. Blow your trumpet in Ramah.  You will scare Beth-aven and Benjamin.
[8] Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Beth-aven, after thee, O Benjamin.

Ephraim will be destroyed then. They will be punished. I have told all of the tribes of Isarel what I will do.
[9] Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.

Israel's rulers are bad. I will punish them.
[10] The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.

Ephraim did not obey the commandments. Now it is being punished. I am like foul things to Ephraim and Judah.
[11] Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
[12] Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.

When Ephraim and Judah saw that they were sick, they went for help from Assyria.  But the king in Assyria cannot heal you.
[13] When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.

I will attack Ephraim and Judah like a lion. Then, I will leave them. I won't come back until they say they were wrong and start to follow Me.
[14] For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
[15] I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

Hosea 6

Come, we will go back to the Lord. He has hurt us, but He will heal us.  He hit us, but He will help us.
[1] Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

After 2 days, He will wake us up.  On the 3rd day, He will raise us up. Then, we will live with Him.
[2] After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

We will study God. We will see that He comes to us like the dawn and like the spring rain.
[3] Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.


What will I do with you, Ephraim? What will I do with you, Judah? You are good for just a short time like the morning dew that goes away.
[4] O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

I use prophets to wake you up.  My words are harsh.  I want you to see what you're doing wrong.
[5] Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.

I want sincere mercy, not empty sacrifice. I want you to know Me more than just make burnt offerings.
[6] For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

But the people have broken the promise.  They have not been fair to Me.
[7] But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

Gilead is a city of people who do bad things. It is polluted with blood.
[8] Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
The priests murder and do immoral things. They are thieves and sinners.
[9] And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.

I have seen terrible things in Israel and Ephraim. Israel is dirty.
[10] I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.

When I return my people, Judah, there will be a harvest for you.
[11] Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.

Hosea 7

I would have healed Israel, then I saw the sins of Ephraim and Samaria.  They lie and steal.  They don't stop to think that I see their wickedness. Their wickedness is all around them right in front of My face.
[1] When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.
[2] And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.

The king and the princes are happy with their lies. They are like a hot oven.
[3] They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
[4] They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneeded the dough, until it be leavened.

The princes made the king sick with wine. He did bad things like they did.
[5] In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.

They are like an oven waiting for the baker to wake up and make a fire.
[6] For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.

They are hot like an oven. They have destroyed their judges and kings. None of them call to Me.
[7] They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.

Ephram has mixed with other people. They are like bread that is not cooked on both sides. Strangers have destroyed its strength, but he doesn't know it yet.  He has some gray hairs, but he doesn't realize he is weak.
[8] Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
[9] Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.

I am the Lord their God, but they are too proud to ask for help.
[10] And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.

Ephraim is like a silly bird. It asks Egypt and Assyria for help.
[11] Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

I will throw my nets on them. I will catch them like birds in the air. I will scold them.  They will have trouble! They have run away from Me. They will be destroyed because they have sinned against Me. I have redeemed them, but they talk bad about me.
[12] When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
[13] Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.

They have not cried to Me with their hearts. They get together and howl from their beds. They rebel against Me.
[14] And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.

Even though I made them strong, they cause trouble for me. They are like bent bows. Their leaders will die in wars because of their words. The people in Egypt will make fun of them.
[15] Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.
[16] They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.


Hosea 8

Blow the trumpet. He will come like an eagle to attack the Lord's house. He will attack because the Israelites have broken their promise to God. They have not obeyed His law.
[1] Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

Israel will cry to God, "My God, we know You."
[2] Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee.

Israel has thrown away the thing that is good. Israel's enemy will chase him.
[3] Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.

Israel set up kings and princes. But, they were not from God. Israel made idols of silver and gold, and they got cut off.
[4] They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.

I was angry with Samaria because it had an idol calf. How long will it be before it will be innocent again?
[5] Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?

Israel had made the calf. God will break it into pieces.
[6] For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

They have planted wind. They will reap or get back a whirlwind. The plants will not grow any food.
[7] For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

Israel is swallowed up by other countries. It is like it doesn't exist. Ephraim is like a donkey wandering around by itself. Ephraim is paying lovers.
[8] Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
[9] For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.

Even though they are hiring other people, I will gather them together. The other kings will oppress them and wear them down.
[10] Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.

Ephraim has been sinning and worshipping other gods. I wrote them My laws, but they did not obey.
[11] Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.
[12] I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

They make wrong sacrifices and eat them. But the Lord won't accept those sacrifices. Now, the Lord will remember their sins. The will become slaves again like they were in Egypt.
[13] They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.


Israel has forgotten who made them. They have built things to worship false gods. God said He will send fire down to burn those places up.
[14] For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.


Hosea 9


Israel, don't shout for joy like other people.  You have left God. You have followed other false gods.

[1] Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.

 You will not have enough grain or wine.
[2] The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.

You will have to leave the Lord's land.  Some will go to Egypt, and some will go to Assyria.
[3] They shall not dwell in the LORD's land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.

They will not offer wine to the Lord. He will not be happy with their sacrifices. They will be like bread for dead people.  Everyone who eats it will be dirty. Their bread will not be clean. It cannot be offered to the Lord.
[4] They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

What will you do on the day of the Lord's feast?
[5] What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?

They will be destroyed. Egypt will gather them.  Memphis will buy them. Weeds and stickers will grow in their tabernacles.
[6] For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.

The time for punishment has come. The prophet is a fool. The spiritual man is insane because of the bad things you have done.
[7] The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

Ephraim's watchman was with my God. But the prophet is a trap. He makes hatred in God's house.
[8] The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.

The people are behaving badly. They are behaving like people did back in Gibeah. God will remember their sins. He will not let them go.
[9] They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.

I found Israel like grapes growing in the wilderness. Your ancestors were like fig trees bearing fruit for the first time. Then, they went to Baal-peor. They started sinning. They behaved very badly.
[10] I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

Epraim's glory will fly away like birds. They will have children, but I will make them sad.  There won't be anyone left. They will have trouble when I leave them.
[11] As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
[12] Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!

Ephraim is living in a good place, but they will not treat their children well.
[13] Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

Lord, make Ephraim not able to have children.
[14] Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.

They had wickedness in Gilgal. I hated them there. They did very wicked things. I will drive them out of my house.  I will not love them anymore. Their leaders are revolting.
[15] All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.

Ephraim has been hit. Its root is dried up. They will not bear fruit (have children).  Even if they have children, I will kill their children.
[16] Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.

My God will send them away because they didn't listen to Him. They will wander around other nations.
[17] My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Hosea 10

Israel is an empty vine. In the past, there was a lot of fruit. They were successful. But then they started worshiping false gods. Their hearts were divided. Now, they will be found guilty. God will break down their altars and destroy their images.
[1] Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.
[2] Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

For now, they say, "We do not have a king because we did not fear the Lord. What will a king do to us?"
[3] For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

They have said big lies. Samaria will be afraid because of the calf statue idols in Beth-aven. The people will be sad. The priests that were happy with the calf statue will be ashamed. The gold calf will be taken to Assyria as a gift for the king named Jareb. Ephraim and Israel will be ashamed.
[4] They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
[5] The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
[6] It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

Samaria's king will be cut off like foam on the water.
[7] As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.

Israel's places of idol worship will be destroyed. Weeds will grow on the altars. They will beg the hills and mountains to fall on them and cover them up.
[8] The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

Oh Israel, you started sinning at Gibeah. Now there will be a war with you at Gibeah.
[9] O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

I want to punish them. Other nations will attack them.
[10] It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

Ephraim is a female cow. She loved to walk on the corn. But I will put a harness on her and make her plow the fields.
[11] And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.

If you start to do good things and follow the Lord, He will send good to you.
[12] Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

You did wicked things, so bad things happened to you. You lied, and you didn't trust God. You trusted your own armies.
[13] Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

There will be a war. Your forts will be destroyed the way that Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel in the past. Mothers were killed by their children. Bethel will do the same to you because of your wickedness. One morning, the king of Israel will be totally cut off.
[14] Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
[15] So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.

 

Hosea 11

When Israel was a child, I loved him.  I called him my son and brought him out of Egypt. After he came out of Egypt, he started worshiping false gods and idols.  He made sacrifices and burnt incense to them. 
[1] When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
[2] As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.


I brought Israel out of Egypt. I took him by his arms. But he didn't recognize that I healed him. I brought him out with love. I made him free and gave him food.
[3] I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
[4] I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

But Israel will be slaves again.  The Assyrians will take it over. The cities will be destroyed because the people are not listening to Me.
[5] He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
[6] And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

 My people have been moving away from Me.  They think they can find a stronger god.
[7] And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

My heart is broken.  How can I give you up? How can I save you? I will not enter your city and destroy you.
[8] How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
[9] I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

My people will come back and follow Me. They will come like birds from Egypt and Assyria.
[10] They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
[11] They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

Ephraim tells lies. Israel is dishonest. But Judah rules with God. Judah is faithful with the saints.
[12] Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

 

Hosea 12

Ephraim follows the wind. He continues to lie. He makes deals with the Assyrians. Oil is taken to Egypt.
[1] Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

The Lord is still in disagreement with Judah.  He will punish Jacob for what he does.
[2] The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

Jacob grabbed his brother's heel in the womb. Later, he wrestled with God.
[3] He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:


Jacob had power over the angel and won. He cried and prayed to God. He found God there in Bethel. That is where God spoke to us.
[4] Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

God is the Lord of all.
[5] Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

So, turn to God. Have mercy and good judgment. Trust God always.
[6] Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

Israel is like a dishonest merchant.  He is not fair. He loves to treat others badly.
[7] He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

Ephraim says, "I am rich. I worked it all out myself. I did not do anything sinful."
[8] And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

I am the Lord your God. I will make you live in tents again like in the past.
[9] And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

I have spoken through the prophets.  Many times, I spoke in dreams of the prophets.
[10] I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

Gilead is surely sinning.  They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal, but their altars are out in the fields.
[11] Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

Jacob ran away to the country of Syria. He took care of sheep to earn his wife.
[12] And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.


The Lord God used a prophet to bring Israel out of Egypt.  Then, they were saved.
[13] And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

Ephraim made God very angry. God will punish him.
[14] Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Hosea 13


In the past, Ephraim trembled when God spoke. Later, he worshiped the false god, Baal. Then, he died.
[1] When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

Now, he sins more and more. He has made false idols of silver. They make sacrifices to them, and they even kiss them.
[2] And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

For that reason, they will leave fast like morning clouds and dew. They will be like the chaff that blows away from wheat. They will be gone like smoke going out of the chimney.
[3] Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

I have been their God since they left Egypt. They have not known any other gods except me. I am the only saviour.
[4] Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.


I did know you in the wilderness. It was a very dry land. I helped you get food. After you were fed, you forgot about Me.
[5] I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
[6] According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

So, I will be like a lion or leopard.  I will watch you and attack you. I will attack you like a bear who lost her cubs. I will tear you like a wild beast.
[7] Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
[8] I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.


Israel, you have destroyed yourself. But I can help you. I will be your king. Is there another king who can save you? You wanted a king, so I gave you a king. Then, I was angry and took him away.
[9] O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
[10] I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?
[11] I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.

Israel's sins are hidden away. You will be in pain like a woman in labor. You will be like a son who refuses to be born.
[12] The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
[13] The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.

 I can save them from death. Or I can destroy them.
[14] I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

He might be successful with his brothers, but God will come like a strong wind. Israel's water supply will dry up. Samaria will be destroyed. Their women and children will be killed.
[15] Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
[16] Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.

Hosea 14 

God says He will save Israel.

Oh Israel, return to the Lord your God. You have fallen because of your sin.
[1] O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.


Pray to God. Ask Him to take away your sin. Tell Him that no one else can save you. Assyria won't save you.
[2] Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
[3] Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

God says He will heal them. He loves them, and He won't be angry with them anymore.
[4] I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

God says, "I will be like dew to Israel. He will grow like the lily. He will put out roots in Lebanon. He will have large branches. He will be beautiful like the olive tree. He will smell good like Lebanon.
[5] I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
[6] His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.

The people who live near him will be blessed. They will grow and smell good like wine in Lebanon.
[7] They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim will not follow false gods anymore.  He will know that following God is right.  God's ways are right. Good people will follow Him.
[8] Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
[9] Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

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