Study Desk

Israel has forgotten his Maker and built great houses. And Judah has built many strong cities ready for battle. But I will send a fire upon its cities that will destroy its beautiful houses."

Ephraim was meant to be a watchman who would speak for God. Yet there is a net in all his ways, and only anger in the house of his God.

I have seen Ephraim planted in a good field like Tyre. But Ephraim will lead his children out to be killed."

Israel is a spreading vine full of fruit. The more fruit he had, the more altars he made. As his land became richer, he made his pillars for worship better.

Plant what is right and good for yourselves. Gather the fruit of lasting love. Break up your ground that has not been plowed. For it is time to look for the Lord, until He comes and pours His saving power on you.

They will follow the Lord, and He will make noise like a lion. Yes, He will make noise like a lion, and His children will come from the west shaking with fear.

Ephraim's food is the wind, he goes after the east wind all day long. He tells many lies and does much in his anger. He makes an agreement with Assyria and takes oil to Egypt.

The Lord has a cause against Judah, and will punish Jacob for his ways. He will make him pay for what he has done.

Before he was born he took his brother by the heel. And when he was grown he fought with God.

He fought with the angel and won. He cried and begged for His favor. He met God at Bethel, and God spoke with him there.

This was the Lord, the God of All. The Lord is His name.

But Ephraim has made the Lord very angry. So the Lord will leave on him the guilt of his blood, and make his shame return to him.

"The wrong-doing of Ephraim is being kept. His sin is being stored up.

"Even if he grows among his brothers, an east wind will come. The wind of the Lord will come from the desert. And his well will dry up. His water will be gone. It will take away everything of much worth.

His young branches will spread out and his beauty will be like the olive tree. His smell will be like the cedars of Lebanon.

Those who live in his shadow will grow like grain and like flowers of the vine. He will be known like the wine of Lebanon.

They do not push each other. Each one walks in his path. When they break through those who fight against them, their path is not changed.

The Lord thunders in front of His army. His army has too many to number. Those who obey His Word are powerful. The day of the Lord is very great and fills people with fear and wonder. Who can live through it?

Tear your heart and not your clothes." Return to the Lord your God, for He is full of loving-kindness and loving-pity. He is slow to anger, full of love, and ready to keep His punishment from you.

Gather the people and make them holy. Gather together the leaders, the children, and the nursing babies. Let the man to be married come out of his room, and the bride come out of her room.