Hosea 8:5-7

Israel sowed the wind -- Hosea 8:5-7: Israel was the name of the nation. Ephraim was the larger tribe in the Northern Kingdom. Samaria was the city that was the capital of the Northern Kingdom. God was angered by the idolatrous calf at Samaria. Their idols caused God's anger to wax hot against Israel. He would cast them off and the idols were powerless to help. God challenged them with the question "How long will it be ere they attain to innocency?" or "When will you ever be innocent again?"

Someone in n Israel made the idol. The idol can do nothing. However, Jehovah God made all things. He demands and deserves our worship. The children of Israel were worshipping a god made by their own hands. The true and living God would smash their idol to pieces. Isaiah wrote, "And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin." (Isaiah 1:25) Israel had "sown the wind, and now they shall reap the whirlwind." A whirlwind is a great and strong thing and it is very destructive. The punishment of Israel would be severe. If any grain was left by the storm strangers would devour it. The punishment for sin is great!