Oseas 8

1 Israel cosecha un torbellino
»¡Toquen alarma!
El enemigo desciende como un águila sobre el pueblo del Señor
,
porque rompieron mi pacto
y se rebelaron contra mi ley.

2 Ahora Israel me suplica:
“¡Ayúdanos, porque tú eres nuestro Dios!”.

3 Pero es demasiado tarde.
Los israelitas rechazaron lo bueno,
y ahora sus enemigos los perseguirán.

4 El pueblo de Israel nombró reyes sin mi consentimiento
y príncipes sin mi aprobación.
Fabricaron ídolos de plata y oro para sí mismos
y así provocaron su propia destrucción.

5 »Oh Samaria, yo rechazo este becerro,
este ídolo que te has hecho.
Mi furia arde contra ti.
¿Hasta cuándo serás incapaz de estar sin culpa?

6 Este becerro que adoras, oh Israel,
¡lo hiciste con tus propias manos!
¡No es Dios!
Por lo tanto, debe ser hecho pedazos.

7 »Sembraron vientos
y cosecharán torbellinos.
Los tallos de grano se marchitan
y no producen nada para comer.
Y aun si hubiera grano,
lo comerían los extranjeros.

8 El pueblo de Israel ha sido tragado;
ahora está tirado en medio de las naciones como una olla vieja y descartada.

9 Como asno salvaje en celo,
los israelitas
se han ido a Asiria.
Se vendieron
y se entregaron a muchos amantes.

10 Pero aunque se han vendido a muchos aliados,
ahora los reuniré para el juicio.
Entonces se retorcerán
bajo la opresión del gran rey.

11 »¡Israel construyó muchos altares para quitar el pecado,
pero estos mismos altares se convirtieron en lugares para pecar!

12 A pesar de que les di todas mis leyes,
actúan como si esas leyes no se aplicaran a ellos.

13 El pueblo de Israel ama sus ceremonias de sacrificio,
pero para mí, todos sus sacrificios no tienen sentido.
Yo haré responsable a mi pueblo de sus pecados
y lo castigaré;
ellos volverán a Egipto.

14 Israel se olvidó de su Hacedor y construyó grandes palacios,
y Judá fortificó sus ciudades.
Por lo tanto, haré descender fuego sobre sus ciudades
y quemaré sus fortalezas».

Oseas 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

Destruction threatened for the impiety of Israel. (1-4) For their idolatry. (5-10) Further threatenings for the same sins. (11-14)

Verses 1-4 When Israel was hard pressed, they would claim protection from God, but this would be disregarded. What stead will it stand in to say, My God, I know thee, if we cannot say, My God, I love thee, serve thee, and cleave to thee only?

Verses 5-10 They promised themselves plenty, peace, and victory, by worshipping idols, but their expectations came to nothing. What they sow has no stalk, no blade, or, if it have, the bud shall yield no fruit, there was nothing in them. The works of darkness are unfruitful; nay, the end of those things is death. The hopes of sinners will deceive them, and their gains will be snares. In times of danger, especially in the day of judgment, all carnal devices will fail. They take a course by themselves, and like a wild ass by himself, they will be the easier and surer prey for the lion. Man is in nothing more like the wild ass's colt, than in seeking for that succour and that satisfaction in the creature, which are to be had in God only. Though men may sorrow a little, yet if it is not after a godly sort, they will be brought to sorrow everlastingly.

Verses 11-14 It is a great sin to corrupt the worship of God, and will be charged as sin on all who do it, how plausible soever their excuses may seem to be. The Lord had caused his law to be written for them, but they cared not to know, and would not obey it. Man seems by the temples he builds to be mindful of his Maker, yet really he has forgotten him, because he has cast off all his fear; but none ever hardened his heart against God and prospered. So long as men despise the truths and precepts of God's word, and the ordinances of his worship, all the observances and offerings, however costly, of their own devising, will be unto them for sin; for those services only are acceptable to God, which are done according to his word, and through Jesus Christ.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 8

This chapter treats of the sins and punishment of Israel for them, as the preceding; it is threatened and proclaimed that an enemy should come swiftly against them, because of their transgression of the covenant and law of God, Ho 8:1; their hypocrisy is exposed, Ho 8:2; they are charged with the rejection of that which is good, and therefore should be pursued by the enemy, Ho 8:3; with setting up kings and princes without consulting the Lord, Ho 8:4; and with making of idols, particularly the golden calves, which would be of no use to them, disappoint them, and at last be broke to pieces, Ho 8:4-6; their seeking to their neighbours for help, and entering into alliances with them, are represented as vain and fruitless, and issuing in their ruin and destruction, Ho 8:7-10; their sins of multiplying altars, contrary to the law of God, and in contempt of it, and offering sacrifices to the Lord, are observed; and they with a visitation from him, Ho 8:11-13; and the chapter is concluded with some notice and Judah, the one building temples, and multiplying fenced cities, which should be by fire, Ho 8:14.