Thy Strong Word — Hosea 10:1-15: “You have eaten the fruit of lies.” -God

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Israel is compared to a lush vine that has grown fruit for itself, but its abundance has led to greater idolatry and corruption. The people have divided hearts, making empty promises and worshiping false gods. Judgment is coming, and they will face destruction for their wickedness and misplaced trust in human leaders and military power. Hosea calls them to break up their hardened hearts and seek righteousness, warning that they will reap the whirlwind if they continue on their current path.

The Rev. Chris Matthis, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Hosea 10.

Hosea tells the powerful story of a prophet commanded to marry an unfaithful woman, Gomer, as a living symbol of God’s boundless love for Israel despite its repeated betrayals. Through heartbreak and redemption, Hosea’s marriage becomes a vivid portrayal of how deeply God desires His people to return to Him, even when they chase after idols. Packed with raw emotion, prophetic warnings, and a message of divine mercy, this book captures God’s relentless pursuit and offers a stirring reminder that restoration is always possible—through Jesus–no matter how far one has wandered.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [e-mail].

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

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Hosea 10

10 Israel is a luxuriant vine
that yields its fruit.
The more his fruit increased,
the more altars he built;
as his country improved,
he improved his pillars.
² Their heart is false;
now they must bear their guilt.
The Lord^[a] will break down their altars
and destroy their pillars.

³ For now they will say:
“We have no king,
for we do not fear the Lord;
and a king—what could he do for us?”
⁴ They utter mere words;
with empty^[b] oaths they make covenants;
so judgment springs up like poisonous weeds
in the furrows of the field.
⁵ The inhabitants of Samaria tremble
for the calf^[c] of Beth-aven.
Its people mourn for it, and so do its idolatrous priests—
those who rejoiced over it and over its glory—
for it has departed^[d] from them.
⁶ The thing itself shall be carried to Assyria
as tribute to the great king.^[e]
Ephraim shall be put to shame,
and Israel shall be ashamed of his idol.^[f]

⁷ Samaria’s king shall perish
like a twig on the face of the waters.
⁸ The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel,
shall be destroyed.
Thorn and thistle shall grow up
on their altars,
and they shall say to the mountains, “Cover us,”
and to the hills, “Fall on us.”

⁹ From the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, O Israel;
there they have continued.
Shall not the war against the unjust^[g] overtake them in Gibeah?
¹⁰ When I please, I will discipline them,
and nations shall be gathered against them
when they are bound up for their double iniquity.

¹¹ Ephraim was a trained calf
that loved to thresh,
and I spared her fair neck;
but I will put Ephraim to the yoke;
Judah must plow;
Jacob must harrow for himself.
¹² Sow for yourselves righteousness;
reap steadfast love;
break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

¹³ You have plowed iniquity;
you have reaped injustice;
you have eaten the fruit of lies.
Because you have trusted in your own way
and in the multitude of your warriors,
¹⁴ therefore the tumult of war shall arise among your people,
and all your fortresses shall be destroyed,
as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle;
mothers were dashed in pieces with their children.
¹⁵ Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel,
because of your great evil.
At dawn the king of Israel
shall be utterly cut off.

Footnotes

1. Hosea 10:2 Hebrew He
2. Hosea 10:4 Or vain (see Exodus 20:7)
3. Hosea 10:5 Or calves
4. Hosea 10:5 Or has gone into exile
5. Hosea 10:6 Or to King Jareb
6. Hosea 10:6 Or counsel
7. Hosea 10:9 Hebrew the children of injustice

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org