Study Desk

They went to those gods for safety, and they have lost their ability to think. Their altars will bring them shame.

The people of Israel have done many evil things, and these evil things keep them from coming back to their God. They are always thinking of ways to chase after other gods. They don't know the Lord .

"The leaders of the people went to look for the Lord . They took their sheep and cattle with them, but they did not find the Lord because he refused to accept them.

They have not been faithful to the Lord . Their children are from some stranger. And now, he will destroy them and their land again.

Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, so they went to Assyria for help. They told their problems to the great king, but he cannot heal you or cure your wound.

The priests are like gangs of robbers hiding and waiting on the road to attack someone. They murder people before they reach safety in Shechem. They do such evil things.

"I will heal Israel! Then people will know that Ephraim sinned. They will know about Samaria's lies. They will know about the thieves who come and go in that town.

On Our King's Day, the leaders get so drunk that they get sick. They become crazy with wine and make agreements with people who laugh at God.

They go to those countries for help, but I will trap them. I will throw my net over them, and I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will punish them for their agreements.

They never call to me from their hearts. Yes, they cry on their beds. And they cut themselves when they ask for grain and new wine. But in their hearts, they have turned away from me.

I trained them and made their arms strong, but they made evil plans against me.

Like a boomerang, they changed directions, but they did not come back to me. Their leaders bragged about their strength, but they will be killed with swords. And the people in Egypt will laugh at them.

"Put the trumpet to your lips and give the warning. Be like an eagle over the Lord 's house. The Israelites have broken my agreement. They have not obeyed my law.

The Israelites chose their kings, but they didn't come to me for advice. They chose leaders, but they didn't choose men I knew. The Israelites used their silver and gold to make idols for themselves, so they will be destroyed.

"Ephraim built more and more altars, and that was a sin. They have been altars of sin for Ephraim.

The Israelites love sacrifices. They offer the meat and eat it. The Lord does not accept their sacrifices. He remembers their sins, and he will punish them. They will be carried away as prisoners to Egypt.

Israel has built palaces for their kings, and now Judah builds fortresses. But they have forgotten their Maker! So I will send a fire to destroy their cities and fortresses!"

But even if the Israelites do raise their children, it will not help, because I will take the children away from them. I will leave them, and they will have nothing but troubles."

Those people will not listen to my God, so he will refuse to listen to them. And they will wander among the nations without a home.

The people of Israel tried to trick God, but now they must accept their guilt. He will break down their altars and destroy their memorial stones.