Study Desk

My God will reject them because they have not listened to Him;^(am) they will become wanderers among the nations.^(an)

Israel is a lush^[a] vine;^(a) it yields fruit for itself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars.^(b) The better his land produced, the better they made the sacred pillars.^(c)

Their hearts are devious;^[b](d) now they must bear their guilt.^(e) The Lord will break down their altars^(f) and demolish their sacred pillars.

In fact, they are now saying, "We have no king! For we do not fear the Lord .^(g) What can a king do for us?"

They speak mere words, taking false oaths while making covenants.^(h) So lawsuits break out like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.⁽ⁱ⁾

The residents of Samaria^(j) will have anxiety over the calf^(k) of Beth-aven.^(l) Indeed, its idolatrous priests rejoiced over it; the people will mourn over it, over its glory.^(m) It will certainly depart from them.

The calf itself will be taken to Assyria⁽ⁿ⁾ as an offering to the great king.^[c](o) Ephraim will experience shame;^(p) Israel will be ashamed of its counsel.^(q)

Samaria's king will disappear^[d](r) like foam^[e] on the surface of the water.

The high places^(s) of Aven, the sin of Israel,^(t) will be destroyed; thorns and thistles will grow over their altars.^(u) They will say to the mountains,^(v) "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!"^(w)

Israel, you have sinned since the days of Gibeah;^(x) they have taken their stand there. Will not war against the unjust overtake them in Gibeah?

I will discipline^(y) them at My discretion;^(z) nations will be gathered against them to put them in bondage^[f] for their two crimes.^(aa)

Ephraim is a well-trained calf^(ab) that loves to thresh, but I will place a yoke on^[g] her fine neck.^(ac) I will harness Ephraim;^(ad) Judah will plow; Jacob will do the final plowing.

Sow righteousness for yourselves^(ae) and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground.^(af) It is time to seek the Lord ^(ag) until He comes^(ah) and sends righteousness on you like the rain.^(ai)

You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice;^(aj) you have eaten the fruit of lies.^(ak) Because you have trusted in your own way^[h] and in your large number of soldiers,^(al)

the roar of battle will rise against your people, and all your fortifications will be demolished^(am) in a day of war, like Shalman's destruction of Beth-arbel. Mothers will be dashed to pieces along with their children.^(an)

So it will be done to you, Bethel,^(ao) because of your extreme evil. At dawn the king of Israel will be totally destroyed.