Hosea 10:1

CHAPTER X

This chapter treats of the same subject, but elegantly varied.

It begins with comparing Israel to a fruitful vine but

corrupted by too much prosperity, 1.

It next reproves and threatens them for their idolatry, 2;

anarchy, 3;

and breach of covenant, 4.

Their idolatry is then enlarged on; and its fatal consequences

declared in terms full of sublimity and pathos, 5-8.

God is now introduced complaining of their excessive guilt; and

threatening them with captivity in terms that bear a manifest

allusion to their favourite idolatry, the worshiping the

similitude of a calf or heifer, 9-11.

Upon which the prophet, in a beautiful allegory suggested by

the preceding metaphors, exhorts them to repentance; and warns

them of the dreadful consequences of their evil courses, if

obstinately persisted in, 12-15.

NOTES ON CHAP. X

Verse Hosea 10:1. Israel is an empty vine] Or, a vine that casteth its grapes.

He bringeth forth fruit] Or, he laid up fruit for himself. He abused the blessings of God to the purposes of idolatry. He was prosperous; but his prosperity corrupted his heart.

According to the multitude of his fruit] He became idolatrous in proportion to his prosperity; and in proportion to their wealth was the costliness of their images, and the expensiveness of their idol worship. True is the homely saying of old Quarles: -

"So God's best gifts, usurp'd by wicked ones,

To poison turn, by their con-ta-gi-ons."

Another poet, of a higher order, but worse school, says: -

Effodiuntur opes, irritamenta malorum. - OVID.

Of which the words of St. Paul are nearly a literal rendering, -

Ῥιζα γαρ πανθων των κακων εστιν ἡ θιλαργυρια.

"For the love of money is the root of all these evils" 1 Timothy 6:10.

Pity that this beautiful metal, on which God has bestowed such a large portion of mineral perfection, and then hid in the earth, should, on its being digged up by man, become the incentive to so many vices, and draw away his heart from the Creator of all things, and the fountain of ineffable perfection and goodness.