For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers. For they have gone up to AssyriaThis phrase indicates a political and spiritual betrayal by the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "gone up" (עָלָה, 'alah) often implies an ascent or a journey, suggesting a deliberate action. Historically, this refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel seeking alliances with Assyria, a powerful empire at the time. This act of seeking help from Assyria instead of relying on God is seen as a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and protection. It reflects a broader theme in Hosea of Israel's infidelity to God, akin to spiritual adultery. like a wild donkey on its own
The imagery of a "wild donkey" (פֶּרֶא, pere') is significant. In the ancient Near East, a wild donkey was known for its stubbornness and independence, often roaming the desert alone. This metaphor highlights Israel's rebellious and unrestrained nature, choosing its own path rather than following God's guidance. The wild donkey's solitary behavior underscores Israel's isolation due to its choices, emphasizing the futility and danger of their self-reliance and disobedience. Ephraim has hired lovers
"Ephraim" is a representative term for the Northern Kingdom of Israel, named after one of the prominent tribes. The phrase "hired lovers" (שָׂכַר, sakar) uses the language of prostitution, a recurring theme in Hosea to describe Israel's unfaithfulness. By "hiring lovers," Israel is depicted as seeking foreign alliances and protection through political and economic means, akin to paying for affection or security. This act is seen as a betrayal of their covenant relationship with God, who desires their exclusive devotion and trust. The use of such vivid imagery serves as a powerful indictment of Israel's spiritual adultery and the consequences of forsaking their divine relationship. Persons / Places / Events 1. EphraimRepresents the northern kingdom of Israel, often used synonymously with Israel in the prophetic books. Ephraim was the largest tribe and thus symbolized the whole nation. 2. AssyriaA powerful empire during the time of Hosea, known for its military might and influence. Israel sought alliances with Assyria, which is depicted as a form of unfaithfulness to God. 3. Wild DonkeyA metaphor used to describe Israel's stubbornness and independence, highlighting their reckless pursuit of foreign alliances. 4. Hired LoversSymbolizes Israel's unfaithfulness to God by seeking political and military alliances with pagan nations instead of relying on God. Teaching Points Misplaced TrustIsrael's reliance on Assyria instead of God serves as a warning against placing our trust in worldly powers or solutions rather than in God. Spiritual UnfaithfulnessThe metaphor of "hired lovers" illustrates the spiritual adultery of seeking fulfillment and security outside of a relationship with God. Consequences of IndependenceLike a wild donkey, Israel's pursuit of independence from God led to their downfall. We must recognize the dangers of living independently from God's guidance. Call to RepentanceHosea's message is a call to return to God, emphasizing the need for repentance and renewed faithfulness in our relationship with Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the metaphor of a "wild donkey" reflect Israel's spiritual state, and what can we learn from this about our own tendencies to stray from God? 2. In what ways do we, like Ephraim, seek "hired lovers" in our lives today, and how can we redirect our trust back to God? 3. How does the historical context of Israel's alliances with Assyria help us understand the consequences of relying on worldly powers? 4. What other biblical examples illustrate the dangers of misplaced trust, and how do they reinforce the message of Hosea 8:9? 5. How can we apply the call to repentance found in Hosea to our personal lives and our communities today? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 2:24Similar imagery of a wild donkey is used to describe Israel's unrestrained pursuit of idolatry and foreign alliances. 2 Kings 15-17Historical context of Israel's political alliances and eventual downfall due to their reliance on foreign powers instead of God. Isaiah 30:1-2Warns against forming alliances with Egypt, paralleling the theme of misplaced trust in foreign nations rather than in God. People Hosea, ZechariahPlaces Assyria, Egypt, SamariaTopics Alone, Ass, Asshur, Assyria, Donkey, Ephraim, E'phraim, Herself, Hired, Lovers, Money, Sold, Wandering, WildDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 8:9 4633 donkey
8771 idolatry, objections Hosea 8:1-10 7216 exile, in Assyria Hosea 8:4-9 7324 calf worship Hosea 8:9-13 7233 Israel, northern kingdom Library The Bible
Oh! how ten-thousand-fold merciful is God, that, looking down upon the race of man, he does not smite it our of existence. We see from our text that God looks upon man; for he says of Ephraim, "I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing." But see how, when he observes the sin of man, he does not dash him away and spurn him with his foot; he does not shake him by the neck over the gulf of hell, until his brain doth reel and then drop him forever; but …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855And First, Can it be Said that Mammmon is Less Served by Christians...
And first, can it be said that Mammmon is less served by Christians, than by Jews and infidels? Or can there be a fuller proof that Christians, Jews, and infidels, are equally fallen from God and all divine worship, since truth itself has told us, that we cannot serve God and Mammon? Is not this as unalterable a truth, and of as great moment, as if it had been said, Ye cannot serve God and Baal? Or can it with any truth or sense be affirmed, that the Mammonist has more of Christ in him than the Baalist, …
William Law—An Humble, Affectionate, and Earnest Address to the Clergy That the Unskilful Venture not to Approach an Office of Authority.
No one presumes to teach an art till he has first, with intent meditation, learnt it. What rashness is it, then, for the unskilful to assume pastoral authority, since the government of souls is the art of arts! For who can be ignorant that the sores of the thoughts of men are more occult than the sores of the bowels? And yet how often do men who have no knowledge whatever of spiritual precepts fearlessly profess themselves physicians of the heart, though those who are ignorant of the effect of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem "For they that are after the Flesh do Mind the Things of the Flesh,",
Rom. viii. 5.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh,", &c. Though sin hath taken up the principal and inmost cabinet of the heart of man--though it hath fixed its imperial throne in the spirit of man, and makes use of all the powers and faculties in the soul to accomplish its accursed desires and fulfil its boundless lusts, yet it is not without good reason expressed in scripture, ordinarily under the name of "flesh," and a "body of death," and men dead in sins, are …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He Continues Free from Every Taint.
1. The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but what has been decreed by God. This proved by examples. 2. All hidden movements directed to their end by the unseen but righteous instigation of God. Examples, with answers to objections. 3. These objections originate in a spirit of pride and blasphemy. Objection, that …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Hosea 8:9 NIVHosea 8:9 NLTHosea 8:9 ESVHosea 8:9 NASBHosea 8:9 KJV
Hosea 8:9 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
