Matthew Henry Commentary Hosea 8
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hosea 8
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hosea 8
"[Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. As an eagle [he cometh] against the house of Jehovah, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law. They shall cry unto me, My God, we Israel know thee. Israel hath cast off that which is good: the enemy shall pursue him. 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." — Hosea 8:1-4 (ASV)
When Israel was hard pressed, they would claim protection from God, but this would be disregarded. Of what use will it be to say, My God, I know You, if we cannot say, My God, I love You, serve You, and hold fast to You only?
"He hath cast off thy calf, O Samaria; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency? For from Israel is even this; the workman made it, and it is no God; yea, the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces. For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: he hath no standing grain; the blade shall yield no meal; if so be it yield, strangers shall swallow it up. Israel is swallowed up: now are they among the nations as a vessel wherein none delighteth. For they are gone up to Assyria, [like] a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers. Yea, though they hire among the nations, now will I gather them; and they begin to be diminished by reason of the burden of the king of princes." — Hosea 8:5-10 (ASV)
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 does, the bud will yield no fruit, for there was nothing in them. The works of darkness are unfruitful; indeed, 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 schemes will fail. They follow their own course and, like a wild ass by himself, they will be easier and surer prey for the lion. Man is in no way more like the wild ass's colt, than in seeking for that help and satisfaction in created things which are to be found in God only. Though people may sorrow a little, yet if it is not in a godly manner, they will be brought to everlasting sorrow.
"Because Ephraim hath multiplied altars for sinning, altars have been unto him for sinning. I wrote for him the ten thousand things of my law; but they are counted as a strange thing. As for the sacrifices of mine offerings, they sacrifice flesh and eat it; but Jehovah accepteth them not: now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins; they shall return to Egypt. For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and builded palaces; and Judah hath multiplied fortified cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the castles thereof." — Hosea 8:11-14 (ASV)
It is a great sin to corrupt the worship of God, and it will be charged as sin against all who do so, however plausible their excuses may seem.
The Lord had caused His law to be written for them, but they did not care to know it and would not obey it.
Man, by the temples he builds, seems to be mindful of His Maker, yet he has truly forgotten Him, because he has cast off all fear of Him. Indeed, no one has ever hardened his heart against God and prospered.
As long as people despise the truths and precepts of God's Word and the ordinances of His worship, all the observances and offerings of their own devising, however costly, will be counted as sin to them. For only those services are acceptable to God that are performed according to His Word and through Jesus Christ.
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