Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Yahweh lambastes Israel for sinning and vows to destroy its cities.
II. Photo
God rejects Israel’s sacrifices: “When they present sacrifices to me, it is but flesh for them to eat: The Lord has not accepted them!” (v. 13a)
III. Important Verses
2-3: Israel cries out to Me, “O my God, we are devoted to You.” Israel rejects what is good; An enemy shall pursue him.
4-6: They have made kings, But not with My sanction; They have made officers, But not of My choice. Of their silver and gold They have made themselves images, To their own undoing. He rejects your calf, Samaria! I am furious with them! Will they never be capable of purity? For it was Israel’s doing; It was only made by a joiner, It is not a god. No, the calf of Samaria shall be Reduced to splinters!
8-10: Israel is bewildered; They have now become among the nations Like an unwanted vessel, [Like] a lonely wild ass. For they have gone up to Assyria, Ephraim has courted friendship. And while they are courting among the nations, There I will hold them fast; And they shall begin to diminish in number From the burden of king [and] officers.
11-13: For Ephraim has multiplied altars — for guilt; His altars have redounded to his guilt: The many teachings I wrote for him Have been treated as something alien. When they present sacrifices to Me, It is but flesh for them to eat: The LORD has not accepted them. Behold, He remembers their iniquity, He will punish their sins: Back to Egypt with them!
IV. Outline
1. Israel’s iniquity
2-3. Israel’s hypocrisy
4-6. Israel’s unsanctioned kings, officers, and gods
7. Drought in Israel
8-10. Israel’s miserable state: asking other nations for help
11-13. Ephraim’s sacrifices are not wanted
14. God will destroy Israel’s cities
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Photo taken from http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1903/images/1903_MEDIUM.jpg
