I should have created this post before Hezekiah, the previous post. These prophets shed light on the period of time before the Assyrian invasion & capture of the Northern Kingdom. Note how similar to our contemporary culture were their sins. Likewise, God will yet extend His mercy and blessings for us if we turn to Him. If not, we destroy ourselves.
Three prophets mentioned as prophesying during the reign of Jeroboam II, king of Israel, have their own books in the Old Testament: Jonah, Amos, and Hosea. Jonah is only mentioned in the reign of Jeroboam II, and it makes sense that he was sent to Nineveh before the height of the Assyrian glory, as they were still humble enough to repent. There’s an interesting reference to an earthquake while Amos was prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II, and Amos also prophesied during the reign of Uzziah/Azariah, king of Judah. The longest living of the three was Hosea who, like Isaiah, was active during the reigns of the Jewish kings Uzziah/Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. They would see the northern kingdom of Israel taken captive and carried away by the Assyrian Empire, probably only a little over 100 years after the prophet Elisha died during the reign of king Joash of Israel (see 2 Kings 13)—not to be confused with his contemporary king Joash of Judah.
The Book of Jonah (see reference to Jonah under King Jeroboam II in 2 Kings 14:25)
Most of us are pretty familiar with the story of Jonah. The Lord calls him to go call Ninevah (the Assyrian capital) to repentance. Jonah heads instead to the Israeli seaport of Joppa (35 mi northwest of Jerusalem), to take ship to the Phoenician seaport of Tarshish (on the Spanish coast). There are more interesting sites about Nineveh if you contribute or disable your ad blocker.
• https://www.britannica.com/place/Nineveh-ancient-city-Iraq
• https://www.science20.com/the_conversation/nineveh_when_the_capital_of_assyria_was_the_most_dazzling_city_in_the_world-256377
• https://www.bibleplaces.com/joppa/
• https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Joppa
• https://bibleatlas.org/tarshish.htm
• https://www.gotquestions.org/Jonah-Tarshish-Nineveh.html
A terrible storm comes up on the Mediterranean Sea as they are sailing toward Tarshish, threatening shipwreck. All the sailors take to calling on their various gods for help. They toss the cargo, hoping to lighten the ship. Meanwhile, Jonah is fast asleep below deck. The shipmaster comes and says, “What do you think you’re doing?! Start calling on your God (just one of many, to them) to save us!
The crew decide to cast lots to find out who is responsible for the calamity. Remember that anciently people believed the gods responded to queries through the casting of lots, and that’s not to say that God didn’t answer them in a way they could relate to. The lot falls on Jonah. They start questioning Jonah about his occupation and roots, and who is to blame for their bad fortune. Jonah replies that he is a Hebrew, and his God is Ruler over Heaven and is the Creator. He explains that he’s on the run from God. The men are scared stiff. They ask him what to do. He tells them to toss him overboard. They try to row the ship to land, but at last they cry for forgiveness from God for what they are about to do, and toss him into the sea. The storm calms, and they all sacrifice in thanks and make vows.
“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” This fish is usually depicted as a whale, and the writers of the text may not have differentiated between whales and fish as we do. But apparently there are some possible candidates. Remember that the Lord had prepared the creature, so it wasn’t necessarily just any ordinary species or specimen thereof, and some sort of air supply might also have be swallowed.
• https://armstronginstitute.org/315-what-was-the-great-fish-that-swallowed-jonah
Jonah prays to be released from his unpleasant prison (perhaps when he comes to). A poetic version of the plea is recorded in chapter 2.
The Lord reminds Jonah of his mission, and Jonah goes. Nineveh is so huge it apparently takes 3 days to get through it. Probably big traffic troubles, beside the size of the city. Jonah gets a third of the way into the city and predicts its overthrow in 40 days. In a time of various nations vying for predominance, that seems plausible to the inhabitants. They proclaim a fast, put on sackcloth (a sign of great sorrow, humility, or humiliation—likely worn for mourning and/or slavery). The rulers don’t exclude themselves from their edicts. Even the king is in sackcloth & ashes, while he and the nobles proclaim the fast for humans and animals, likewise in sackcloth & ashes, repenting, crying to God—just in case God is willing to grant them mercy.
We have already discussed whether God repents in the way that humans must . . . It is obvious that He changed His decree. To repent is to change.
Jonah is thinking about his own rep (what he said didn’t happen), and no doubt his own feelings toward this superpower potential enemy or threat to his own nation. He complains/explains that this was the reason he headed for Tarshish. He wants to die.
God says, Is this a good thing to be angry about?
Jonah goes out of the city and builds a little shelter to see what will happen. God’s going to teach him something, and causes a gourd vine to grow up and shade him. Jonah’s glad for that. But then God has a worm invade the gourd vine, and then a strong [hot from the desert] east wind to wither the vine. Jonah faints from the sun [or sunstroke?] and wishes to die.
God says, Is this a good reason to be angry? Jonah says, It’s a good enough reason to be angry to death [probably expecting God to strike him down]. God says, You’re feeling sorry about the gourd, which you did nothing to cause to grow, but shouldn’t I feel sorrow over the loss of Nineveh, with more than 120,000 innocents, beside animals?
The Book of Amos—a shepherd called to be a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel
Amos 1:1 “The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.”
Such an intriguing mention! It appears that the reigns of Uzziah & Jeroboam (the second) overlapped for 27 years. Sometime during those years was an earthquake of note, it would seem. Here’s an interesting article about evidence of an earthquake in that time with a cross reference to Zech 14:5 “ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah . . .”
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-find-evidence-8th-century-bc-earthquake-described-old-testament-180978385/
Amos 1
Punishments for Damascus (Syrians), and Gaza (Philistines), Tyre (“a major Phoenician seaport from about 2000 BCE through the Roman period” https://www.britannica.com/place/Tyre ), Edom (descendants of Esau, Jacob/Israel’s brother), and Ammon (descendants of Lot). Each of them had transgressed against Judah. The “brotherly covenant” (alliance) between Tyre and Judah was enacted by David & Solomon with Hyrum of Tyre. Edom’s fault in barbarity is noted in that they ripped up pregnant women in Gilead just to enlarge their holdings.
• https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-eastern-world/ammonites-moabites-edomites-in-the-bible/
Amos 2
Punishments are in store for Moab (descendants of Lot), Judah (“because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked”), and Israel (“because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name . . .” as well as worshipping false gods). After God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and cared for them 40 years in the wilderness, gave them the land of the Amorites (giants like the cedars), they have become so wicked the Lord is angry and leaves them to be conquered. He complains, I’ve raised up prophets (to teach you, warn you, bless you). But you’ve given wine to the Nazarites (vs their vow of abstinence), and tried to silence the prophets. You’ve treated me like a cart under a heavy load. So things will get so bad that even the strong & courageous will flee, taking nothing.
Amos 3
The Lord continues His complaint against the House of Israel: you were my chosen people out of all the families of the earth! And I will punish you for your wickedness. We can’t walk together because we don’t agree. Lions don’t roar for nothing (implying that God has reason for roaring against the Children of Israel). Birds aren’t snared if no snare is set (implying that God has set a snare against the Israelites). Trumpets (of war) will blow, city residents will be afraid. When bad things happen to a city, the Lord is behind it. But surely, “the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” That is, He warns of His punishments. He has roared out His complaints, and shouldn’t everyone pay attention? He has spoken, all I can do is to prophesy as He speaks, Amos says.
Tell the rulers of the Philistines and Egypt to come to Samaria (the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel), and witness the violence and robbery even in the palace. As a shepherd saves whatever he can from the mouth of the lion (even just the legs of the sheep or a piece of an ear), only a small remnant of the people will be saved from the conquerors. The altars (golden calves Jeroboam set up) of Bethel will be destroyed, the winter & summer palaces, the ivory palaces will be destroyed.
Amos 4
Continuing His complaint of the oppression of the poor in Samaria (capitol of the northern kingdom of Israel) the Lord says they’ll be like fish caught on hooks. Their city walls will be breached. They have brought their sacrifices and offerings to the false worship in Gilgal (where Jeroboam had set up a golden calf, beside that at Bethel).
Clean teeth are an indication of having no food to eat.
Despite warnings of famine and drought, city by city (people of one city had to go to another to find food and water), the Israelites still didn’t return to God. Despite blights and diseases, pestilences like Egypt suffered (during the Exodus), wars that killed the young men and horses, the destruction of cities (as Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed), the Israelites still didn’t return to God. So, prepare to meet your God (at the bar of Judgment), the Creator and Ruler of the earth, who has an army of angels at His command. Yet He deigns to let mankind know what He’s thinking.
Amos 5
The Lord pleads with the House of Israel to return to Him, to quit worshipping false gods at Bethel, Gilgal, and Beersheba, lest destruction break out like a fire and cities of 1000 are left 100, and cities of 100 are left with 10. (The house of Joseph refers to the rival kingdom of Israel that Jeroboam set up, vs the kingdom of Judah). God is ruler over the stars above and the earth & sea beneath. He can strengthen even the conquered to attack a fortress.
The Israelites hate those that call them to repentance, and who speak Truth and Righteousness. They walk all over the poor, taking all they have. The oppressors have built expensive homes and planted vineyards, but they won’t be able to enjoy them. They have persecuted the just, taken bribes, ignored the rights of the poor. The “prudent” keep their lips shut, lest they suffer as well. The Lord implores, “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph [leader of the northern kingdom of Israel].”
But because they refuse to repent, there will be wailing and mourning. They that yearn for the coming of the Lord will find that a day of darkness, not light. It’s like a man running from a lion and is met by a bear, or when he reaches the safety of his home he’s bit by a snake (like Jonah, you can't escape God). God hates their religious observances because of their hypocrisy. Rather He wants righteous judgments. They have worshipped false gods, and they will be taken captive, God promises.
Amos 6
“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion . . . ! [the kingdom of Judah]” And those “that trust in the mountain of Samaria . . .” [the northern kingdom of Israel].
Calneh—one of 4 cities founded by Nimrod (Gen 10:10), along with Babel, Erech, and Accad, that is, Babylonia
Hamath—a Syrian city straddling the Orontes River, surrounded by hills
Gath—a major Philistine city
Take a look at these impressive cities, Amos says. Are they any better than you? (Implying they have been conquered, and so will you be). You sit around ignoring the dangerous situation, while you practice violence on others. You lie on ivory beds, eat lambs and calves, chant to the music, drink bowls of wine, anoint yourselves as the rich, but don’t care about the troubles in your land [the land of Joseph, that is, the northern kingdom of Israel].
As a result, you’ll be first to go into captivity. The Lord hates all your [self-centered, corrupted] palaces. The houses of both the rich and poor will be destroyed, not defended by their own relatives. You’ve boasted in yourself, and you are nothing. You’ve taken justice away from judging and turned it to bitterness. God will raise up a nation to conquer you.
Amos 7
The Lord showed me a vision of a plague of grasshoppers eating up the fields of grain, and I pled for the sake of Jacob/Israel. He said that wouldn’t happen.
The Lord showed me a vision of fire consuming the land, and I pled for Jacob/Israel—how would the nation recover such a thing? He relented that possibility.
The Lord showed me a vision of Him standing on a wall with a plumbline [an instrument for measuring]. He said that would be the limit of His protection from the sword. The descendants of Isaac (of Jacob/Israel and Esau/Edom), the holy places of Israel, the kingdom of Jeroboam (the norther kngdom of Israel) will fall.
Bethel was the rival place of worship Jeroboam I had set up to keep his people from going to Jerusalem of Judah to worship, and maybe be drawn back into the kingdom of Judah. It was still the place of that idol worship (of a calf), along with Gilgal, in the time of Jeroboam II. The priest of Bethel, named Amaziah, sends word to Jeroboam II accusing Amos of conspiracy and speaking against his own country. Amaziah says Amos prophesies your death by the sword and that your kingdom will be carried away captive.
Amaziah tells Amos he’d better flee to the land of Judah, and not prophesy against Bethel any more (the king’s chapel and court). Amos replies, I wasn’t a prophet nor the son of a prophet. I was merely a shepherd when God called me to prophesy to His people Israel. So listen to what God says to you: You say not to prophesy against Israel and the descendants of Isaac (Edom & Israel). Here’s what will happen to you: your wife will be a harlot in the city, your children will fall by the sword, your land will be divided among others, and you will die in a desecrated land, while Israel is carried away captive.
Amos 8
The Lord showed me in vision a basket of summer fruit. It was a symbol of the consumption of Israel. God is done with protecting them. The songs of worship in the temple will become the howling of misery and death. Then the dead will be removed in silence.
Listen, you that oppress the poor and needy . . . You can hardly wait for the holy days to be over so you can get back to commerce, with corrupted measuring apparatus. You take advantage of the poor and take all they have in return for the worst of the wheat. God has sworn that He will not forget your evil, and your land will be conquered like a flood in Egypt overtakes all the land. The sun will go down at noon and darkness will take over the clear day.
10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.
11 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:
12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.
13 In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
Those that swear by the false gods of Samaria (at Bethel, Gilgal/Dan, and Beersheba) will fall and never rise again.
Amos 9
Amos says, I saw in vision the Lord standing on the altar. He told me to hit the doorway hard enough to shake it, and cut them all. He said he would kill them all [presumably the worshippers], even those that try to escape. Those that try to dig their way to safety, or climb to the heights, will all be taken. Those that try to hide at the top of Mt Carmel, or even if they could hide at the bottom of the sea—the Lord would send a monster to eat them. Though they go into captivity of their enemies, they will still be killed by the sword. The Lord will see that they suffer bad things, not good.
It is the Lord that makes the land melt as if by fire. Sorrows will rise like an Egyptian flood drowning all in its path. The Lord has power over all the earth and sea. Israel is like the Ethiopians . . . He brought Israel out of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor (Crete), and the Syrians from Kir (an Assyrian city—see also 2 Kings 16:9, Amos 1:5, Isa 22:6). “Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the Lord.” The house of Israel will be scattered throughout all nations. The sinners who think nothing bad will happen will die by the sword.
The Lord promises, One day I will bring back my people, and bless their land with abundance, and rebuilding of the cities and ruins. They will never be taken from their land again. [Though the Jews returned under Cyrus and following, they were yet carried away captive again, under the Romans. So this had yet to be fulfilled after the completion of the Biblical texts.]
The Book of Hosea—written before the Assyrian captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel
Hosea 1:1 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.
Hosea’s calling from God began with the command to take a whore as a wife, and her children, as a strong statement that Israel had behaved as a whore in her relationship to God. His calling began under the king Jeroboam II of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Hosea’s whorish wife bears him a son the Lord says to name Jezreel, a sign that the Lord would avenge Jezreel upon the house of Jehu (king of Israel). Next a daughter is born, the Lord says to 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 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.” The kingdom of Israel would be carried away captive by Assyria, and though Assyria threatened even the capital city Jerusalem, the Lord saved the kingdom of Judah under Hezekiah.
Hosea’s wife bears a second son, “Then said God, Call his name Lo-ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.” But the Lord offers a promise for the future, “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.” The kingdoms of Judah and Israel would be united under one ruler. After the Assyrian captivity this was essentially true, and this prophecy would, like others, be fulfilled more than once. (Note Jesus’ self-defense when accused of blasphemy in John 10:24-42; see also Psalm 82:6, and https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Believers-As-Sons-Of-God ).
Hosea 2
Using the names of Hosea’s children, Ammi (that is, “my people”) and Ruhamah (“having obtained mercy’) the Lord pleads with Israel (symbolized by Hosea’s whorish wife), to put away their whoredoms & adulteries (that is, their worship of idols/false gods), or they will suffer being stripped of resources and rain. They will appeal to these false gods/idols (whom they credit with their prosperity), but they don’t save Israel. Then they decide to go back to the Lord for help (whom they had not recognized as the Giver of their blessings), but He will leave them to their embarrassment and their hollow religious holidays & observances.
Yet He holds out hope for a future time of blessings. Israel (symbolized as a wife) will yet call the Lord Ishi (“my husband”) instead of Baali (“my master”). Note the root of the word Baal (false god) and Baalim (false gods). Instead of worshipping Baalim, they will return to the Lord. And when they do, the Lord will bless (increase) the animals of the land, and take away wars. “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.” The Lord will listen to the prayers of Israel, and Israel will listen to the Lord. The Lord will once again call Israel His people, and Israel will once again call the Lord their God.
Hosea 3
The Lord tells Hosea to take an adulteress as a wife as a symbol of the Lord making a covenant with Israel (who love other gods for the drunken parties involved in their worship). Hosea pays a bride price of 15 pieces of silver and about ¾ bushel (or about 45 lbs) of barley. He tells her she must be faithful to him, and he will be faithful to her. Israel will go a long time without rulers and statehood, but will in the end return to the Lord and the Davidic lineage of kings (the kingdom of Judah). Again, after the Assyrian captivity the remnant of Israel were left to Jewish leadership.
Hosea 4
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.
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.
7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.
Beside all the corruption and crime, Israel worships idols. Consequently, their wives will commit adultery, their daughters fornication, because the men are committing such in the worship of idols (which involved engaging with harlots). The Lord warns Judah not to join in that worship (centered in Gilgal and Bethel). Ephraim is another name for the northern kingdom of Israel, because their first king (Jeroboam) was from the tribe of Ephraim. They will one day be ashamed of their sacrifices to false gods.
Hosea 5
Hosea decries the wickedness of both the kingdoms of Israel & Judah, and foretells their punishment/consequences. Mizpeh (“watchtower” or “lookout”) was the place at which Laban & Jacob agreed not to cross the line against each other (Gen 31:49). Tabor was a mountain in the Jezreel valley (6 mi east of Nazareth, 11 mi sw of the Sea of Galilee. It’s only 2000’ above sea level, but looks taller because the valley of Jezreel is flat. https://www.gotquestions.org/Mount-Tabor.html The kings of Israel have not kept the truce of Mizpeh, and have entrapped/exploited the bounty of the harvest of Jezreel. They have been bloody rulers, despite the Lord’s rebuke. They refuse to limit their actions, nor turn to the Lord. They are proud of what they’ve done. They will fall in their wickedness, and so will the kingdom of Judah. When they seek the Lord, they won’t find Him. Their children are strangers to the Lord (haven’t been taught about Him). The cornet and trumpet announce battle. The possessions of both Israel & Judah will be spoiled, as if a moth got in the closet, or rottenness in the pantry (frig in modern terms). Israel sent to Assyria for help, but Assyria couldn’t fix the problems. Note the reference to lions, symbols of Assyrian kings.
“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
Hosea pleads for Israel to return to the Lord. “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.” In other words, whatever good they do is fleeting.
“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Compare what Samuel said to King Saul (“to obey is better than sacrifice” 1 Sam 15:22 ) and Jesus in Mat 9:13 & 12:7.
The Lord likens the behavior of Israel to treachery/betrayal/treason . . . as in violating the covenants made in Moses’ time between God and the Children of Israel. Robbers ambush people for gain, and the priests murder the faith of people by committing lewdness. The kingdom of Israel is defiled, and Judah will benefit from an increase in population when the Lord brings His people out of captivity.
About Gilead:
https://www.gotquestions.org/land-of-Gilead.html
https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/gilead/
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Gilead
Hosea 7
Hosea uses an oven metaphor to talk about the corrupt princes of the kingdom of Israel. They have degraded their king with lies, ill-gotten gains, wine, scorning righteousness, evil plans & preparations . . . a cake/bread not turned would burn on one side and not be done on the other. The kingdom of Israel doesn’t see itself for what it is. They foolishly turn to Egypt and Assyria, instead of the Lord. They behave like a silly dove, and they’ll be caught in the Lord’s net for it.
“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 howl in misery for their troubles from their beds rather than turn their hearts to the Lord; they gather to eat and drink and (encourage one another to) rebel against the Lord. Despite the help the Lord has given them in battle, they think up ways to foment insurrection against Him. Egypt (whom they had sought for help) will just ridicule them.
Hosea 8
The Lord, through Hosea complains of Israel/Ephraim’s worship of idols, and the calves set up by Jeroboam. He proclaims the consequential Assyrian captivity. A trumpet signals the battle, an eagle swoops in and seizes its prey.
“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind”
Hosea 9
Because of Israel’s infidelity with other gods, and their other sins, their feast days will be full of sorrow rather than joy. Either symbolically or actually, they will return to their Egyptian bondage. The corruption of Gibeah refers to the incident In Judges 19-21 when the men of the town not only behaved like the men of Sodom (Gen 19: instead of offering the culturally expected hospitality, demanded to be given the traveler for their sexual pleasure), they brutalized the man’s concubine all night to death. The kingdom of Israel will pay for their sins.
The prophet (symbolized as a watchman) and the spiritual man are considered fools or madmen, and hated for catching Israel in their sins. The Lord had cherished Israel like grapes found in the wilderness, or a newly producing fig tree. But Israel went after the worship of the Moabite god (Baal) worshipped at Peor (reference to what happened as the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land under Joshua). As a result, Israel’s glory will abandon her. When the Lord ceases to be a Protector of Israel their children will be destroyed. Like Tyre, Israel was planted in an advantageous place, but Israel’s children will be murdered. Instead of reproductive fertility, they’ll have miscarriages and lack of lactating breasts. Gilgal was one of the locations for the worship of the calves that Jeroboam set up.
“My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.”
Hosea 10
The more Israel prospered the more idols were set up. The Lord will destroy all those. They figured if their king was removed because of their unbelief (they had lost the Lord’s protection, so the king was removed by foreign powers), what could any king do to them? They have made contracts they didn’t intend to honor. Judgment will come upon them. Weeds growing up in the field are pesky, but a hemlock having taken root in a field could become indestructible. Such would be their fate.
The calves of Beth-aven refers to one of the places of false (calf-god) worship set up by Jeroboam. Whereas it was prosperous, it will be impoverished, shamed, destroyed. Samaria, as the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, will see her king disappear as easily as foam on water. The place of calf-worship will be destroyed such that thorny weeds will overtake it. The destruction will be so bad the people will wish they could be buried under mountains.
Once again Gibeah is referenced (see Hosea 9), when the tribes of Israel all came and destroyed the city of Gibeah for the wickedness of its men.
Hosea invokes the metaphor of cattle obediently/dutifully working the land and in the harvest to implore “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.” Instead of that, Israel has cultivated wickedness. Israel has trusted her own judgment and her armies rather than God.
About Shalman, see https://biblehub.com/topical/s/shalman.htm
Hosea 11
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
The Lord rescued the Children of Israel from bondage in Israel. He brought the child Jesus back from a sojourn in Egypt when his family fled Herod’s murderous rampage against anyone who might be a competitor to him or his family. God calls/rescues us, His children, from bondage to modern idolatries.
But the Children of Israel turned to idol (Baalim) worship. The Lord had a prophet anoint a king (Jeroboam) from the tribe of Ephraim to lead the northern kingdom of Israel, but they (led by king Jeroboam) didn’t acknowledge His help. God was like the owner of a horse or other beast of burden leading his animal lovingly, and releasing it from its bridle to feed (“The word ‘meat,’ when our English version was made, meant food in general; or if any particular kind was designated, it referred to meal, flour or grain.” https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/smiths-bible-dictionary/meat.html ).
Israel won’t return to bondage in Egypt, but be captive of Assyria, because they would not return to the Lord. War will continue on Israel’s cities and consume them, devour them, because of their unrighteous decisions. They were called to come to the most High, but they were unwilling to praise Him or consider Him as exalted.
As a loving Father, the Lord laments, “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.” Admah & Zeboiim were 2 cities near Sodom & Gomorrah, and were destroyed with them. But, “I am God, and not man”, He says. He feels sorrow, but doesn’t have to repent in the same way that humans do. In these verses He says He won’t punish Israel (as He has already said He would), but in context, that would be if Israel returned to Him. If they would return to Him, He would be in their midst (not enter the cities, implying in battle). If they would walk in the ways of the Lord, He would protect them like a lion against enemies from the west (or anywhere). Israel’s enemies would tremble like birds in Egypt and Assyria. He would settle them in their homes in safety. But in contradiction to that vision of what could be, Ephraim/Israel is full of lies and deceits. As of yet, Judah is ruled by the God-fearing and faithful as the holy men/women of old.
Hosea 12
Ephraim/Israel, instead of seeking things substantial, gulps the wind. Everyday he increases lies and destruction (of the truth, or his own land). They try to make alliances with Assyria and Egypt, implying that these alliances will be as insubstantial as wind, or will lead to the destruction of their land.
The Lord is not satisfied with behavior of the Jews either, and will punish all of Jacob/Israel in recompense of their choices. He refers to the birth of Jacob & Esau, when Jacob took Esau by the heel. Jacob was strengthened by God. Jacob struggled with an angel and won. Jacob sought and found the Lord in Bethel. The Lord spoke to Israel (the nation through the man). The Lord keeps Israel in His memory. So, Hosea implores Israel, “Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and [righteous] judgment, and wait on thy God continually.”
But the Israelites are like a deceitful merchant with false balances (means of measure), who loves oppressing/stepping on others to succeed. Ephraim/Israel boasts that he’s become wealthy with all he’s done, and no one calls him out or holds him to judgment/accountability for his crimes. The Lord reminds them that He brought them out of Israel. That the Lord will make the Israelites live in booths might be either that their houses are destroyed, or that they will begin to celebrate the feasts/Holy Days that the Lord called for. The Lord has spoken to Israel through prophets, visions, and symbolisms. Yet the people sacrifice vainly everywhere—as ubiquitously as piles of rocks in a field (anyone who has farmed in a rocky region will recognize this picture). About Gilead, see https://www.compellingtruth.org/land-of-Gilead.html
Hosea returns to references of Jacob’s life, when Jacob fled to his uncle Laban (who lived in land ruled by Syria), and worked as a shepherd for him to earn the bride price of a wife. Remember that the Lord had covenanted to be with Jacob. By the prophet Moses the Lord brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, and took care of them. But Ephraim/Israel provoked the Lord “most bitterly”, and will receive the consequences of that.
Hosea 13
When Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, was yet insecure, he managed to become king. But he offended the Lord by turning the people to idols. An now the Israelites worship more and more idols, which are made by craftsmen. Jeroboam set up the worship of calves, wherein either physically or metaphorically people would kiss them. Therefore, Israel will disperse like a morning cloud, or the early dew. They’ll be like chaff blowing in the wind or whirlwind, or as ephemeral as smoke.
But eventually Israel will recognize that the Lord is the only God, the only savior. He took care of them in the wilderness, the desert. He gave them pasture (see Psalm 23), fed them, lifted up their hearts. And yet they have forgotten all He did for them. Like a lion or a leopard watches its prey, the Lord has His eye on Israel, and will attack them as furiously as a mother bear whose cubs have been killed or taken away.
“O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.”
The Lord offers to be Israel’s king. Can anyone else save them? He gave them a king when they asked (under Samuel the prophet, and later Jeroboam was anointed king over the northern tribes), and took away the king(s) when he was angry with them (eg Saul and other kings through their history). He offers to bind up (as a wound) their iniquities and cover their sins. But because of their rebellion against the Lord, they will be hurting as a woman in birth. The Israelites are like a foolish son, who hangs around in the birthing room.
The Lord offers to pay off their debt (in that they are worthy of destruction), and save them from destruction (death & the grave). The Lord will not change His mind, if they will just return to Him.
But despite such a bounteous land they have enjoyed, it will be as if an east wind (off the desert) brings drought & famine, dries up the springs, and the crops are all spoiled. In this case, that the wind comes from the east can be metaphorical as well as physical, the “wind” from the east meaning also Assyria. All the beautiful containers full of treasures (agricultural or financial wealth) will be spoiled/despoiled. Samaria (the capital city, representing the northern kingdom of Israel), will be ruined, because she rebelled against God. They will fall by the sword, their children dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped up. (Such barbarity causes us to shudder for them even to this day).
Hosea 14—a plea and promises for Israel to return to the Lord
1 O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
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. [Remember the promises of Moses if they repent.]
3 Asshur [Assyria] shall not save us; we will not ride [in pride] upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee [God] the fatherless findeth mercy.
4 ¶ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
5 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon [known for its cedars].
6 His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn [grain], and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I [God] have heard him [Israel], and observed him: I am like a green fir tree [which offers great shade and wood products, symbolizes strength and wealth]. From me is thy fruit [or nuts] 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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