Thy Strong Word — Hosea 8:1-14: “How long will they be incapable of innocence?” -God

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Israel’s rebellion leads to harsh consequences as God warns of the coming judgment. Despite their offerings and sacrifices, the people have turned to idols, trusting in their own ways instead of God’s. The chapter emphasizes the emptiness of their actions and the inevitable destruction that follows disobedience. Their misplaced alliances and reliance on foreign powers will only result in ruin, leaving them reaping the whirlwind.

The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Hosea 8.

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 8

Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind

8 Set the trumpet to your lips!
One like a vulture is over the house of the Lord,
because they have transgressed my covenant
and rebelled against my law.
² To me they cry,
“My God, we—Israel—know you.”
³ Israel has spurned the good;
the enemy shall pursue him.

⁴ They made kings, but not through me.
They set up princes, but I knew it not.
With their silver and gold they made idols
for their own destruction.
⁵ I have^[a] spurned your calf, O Samaria.
My anger burns against them.
How long will they be incapable of innocence?
⁶ For it is from Israel;
a craftsman made it;
it is not God.
The calf of Samaria
shall be broken to pieces.^[b]

⁷ For they sow the wind,
and they shall reap the whirlwind.
The standing grain has no heads;
it shall yield no flour;
if it were to yield,
strangers would devour it.
⁸ Israel is swallowed up;
already they are among the nations
as a useless vessel.
⁹ For they have gone up to Assyria,
a wild donkey wandering alone;
Ephraim has hired lovers.
¹⁰ Though they hire allies among the nations,
I will soon gather them up.
And the king and princes shall soon writhe
because of the tribute.

¹¹ Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning,
they have become to him altars for sinning.
¹² Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands,
they would be regarded as a strange thing.
¹³ As for my sacrificial offerings,
they sacrifice meat and eat it,
but the Lord does not accept them.
Now he will remember their iniquity
and punish their sins;
they shall return to Egypt.
¹⁴ For Israel has forgotten his Maker
and built palaces,
and Judah has multiplied fortified cities;
so I will send a fire upon his cities,
and it shall devour her strongholds.

Footnotes

1. Hosea 8:5 Hebrew He has
2. Hosea 8:6 Or shall go up in flames

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