Study Desk

So the country is like someone crying for the dead, and all of its people are weak. Even the animals of the field, the birds of the sky, and the fish in the sea are dying.

"My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge. You priests have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be priests for me. You have forgotten the law of your God, so I will forget your children.

So the priests are no different from the people. I will punish them for the things they did. I will pay them back for the wrong things they did.

My people are asking pieces of wood for advice. They think those sticks will answer them! They have chased after those false gods like prostitutes and have left their own God.

"I cannot blame your daughters or your daughters-in-law for doing this, because your men go and have sex with the temple prostitutes and offer sacrifices with them. This is how foolish people destroy themselves.

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

"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.

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.

I will go back to my place, until the people admit they are guilty, until they come looking for me. Yes, in their trouble they will try very hard to find me."

I used the prophets and made laws for the people. The people were killed at my command, but good things will come from those decisions.

Judah, there is also a time of harvest for you. It will happen when I bring my people back from captivity.

They are all like hot ovens. They destroyed their rulers. All their kings fell. Not one of them called to me for help.

Ephraim's pride speaks against him. The people had many troubles, but they still didn't go back to the Lord their God. They didn't look to him for help.

So Ephraim has become like a silly dove without understanding. The people called to Egypt for help. They went to Assyria for help.

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.

It will be very bad for those who left me. They refused to obey me, so they will be destroyed. I saved them, but they speak lies against me.

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.

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.

He has refused your calf, Samaria. God says, ‘I am very angry with the Israelites.' The people of Israel will be punished for their sin. Some worker made those statues. They are not God. Samaria's calf will be broken into pieces.

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