vv.1-2 Israel’s Prosperity Used for Idolatry. Israel is compared to “an empty vine”, a complete contrast to the True Vine of John 15: Christ, who took up everything that Israel had failed in for the glory and satisfaction of God. Note: there is some on certainty on the way this word ‘poured out’ should be translated, but it seems that the thought is empty of fruit for God. The Darby translation has unpruned, which would also indicate a vine empty of fruit, with all its energy spend on unprofitable growth. Meanwhile, the vine of Israel was full of a different kind of fruit: the fruits of their own lusts (James 1:15). As their fruit multiplied, they multiplied altars to false gods. They used the goodness of the land to make goodly statues of these gods, using the prosperity Jehovah gave to promote idolatry. The root of the problem was that “their heart is divided”. Judgment would surely fall, and the idols would be broken.

 

 

vv.3-4 Empty Words and Corrupt Judgment. Israel’s line of kings would be cut short. They would be forced to say “We have no king, for we feared not Jehovah”. This was true: it was a result of disobedience. Yet this was not genuine repentance. They spoke in rebellious anger, ”a king, what can he do for us?” Yet it was true, a king could not save them from the approaching Assyrian. This was not the turning of heart that God was seeking; “They speak mere words, swearing falsely in making a covenant”. They made political treaties with foreign nations for protection: they weren’t trusting in the Lord. Yet they would not even be faithful to their oaths. As a result, judgment sprang up “as hemlock in the furrows of the fields.” Hemlock was a poisonous weed growing where useful grain ought to grow. Israel had planted poison and would reap it.

 

 

vv.5-8 The Calf of Beth-aven Carried into Captivity. The calf of Jeroboam located in Bethel is called “the calf of Beth-aven”, meaning ‘house of vanity’, a contemptuous reference to the center of their idolatry (v.5). The inhabitants of Samaria would at first be afraid, then mourn for the calf, which would be taken away into Assyria “as a present for king Jareb” meaning ‘great king’ (v.6). Israel’s king too would be killed, disappearing like “chips” or foam on the surface of water (v.7). The Lord would use the Assyrian judgment to destroy the whole system of idolatry. Thorns and thistles would grow up, and nature would close over the altars they had built. This verse is quoted in Luke 23:30 and Rev. 6:16 referring to the cry of unbelievers in the tribulation for anything stable (rocks and mountains) to hide them from God and His discipline.

 

v.9 Israel’s Persistent Sin from the Days of Gibeah. Israel was now worse morally than Benjamin in the days of Gibeah, at the close of Judges, when they were nearly wiped out. It will be the same for Israel because they refused to judge their sin.

 

 

vv.10-11 A Harsh Experience In Store. They would be chastised by Jehovah. Not only Israel but Judah too would experience harsh treatment. They would be “bound for their two iniquities”. Ephraim is likened to “a trained heifer, that loveth to tread out the corn”. Treading the corn was relatively easy work. The program would change: “I have passed over upon her fair neck”. They would feel the heavy yoke: “I will make Ephraim to draw; Judah shall plough, Jacob shall break his clods.” Ploughing was hard work, and pictures first the burden of captivity (Assyrian for Ephraim and Babylon for Judah) but also hints at the deeper striving of God for their repentance!

 

 

vv.12-13 A Call to Repentance and to Seek Jehovah. The real purpose of the captivity was not merely punitive; Jehovah was seeking repentance and restoration. Ploughing in scripture often speaks of repentance and the breaking up of a hardened spiritual condition (Jer. 4:3). Thus Jehovah appeals to Israel: “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to mercy; break up your fallow ground” (v.12). They needed not merely outward reform, but to “seek Jehovah, till he come and rain righteousness upon you” (v.12). Sadly, their actual course had been exactly the opposite: “Ye have ploughed wickedness, reaped iniquity, eaten the fruit of lies” (v.13). Their present condition was the harvest of what they themselves had cultivated. At the root was self-confidence: “thou didst confide in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men” (v.13). Rather than depending upon Jehovah, they had trusted their own course and their own strength.

 

 

vv.14-15 Israel’s Fortresses and King Destroyed. The prophet foretells the downfall of Israel and their king. The name Shalman refers to Shalmaneser, king of Assyria. Hosea seems to be referring to an apparently well-known historical event in which Shalmaneser destroyed Beth-arbel, meaning “house of Arbel.” It was a brutal scene, where neither mothers nor children were spared. This was in store for Israel because of Bethel: the center of their idolatry. A tumult would arise in the noise and confusion of war, their fortresses would fall to the approaching armies, the people would be massacred brutally, and their king would be killed at daybreak.