Study Desk

Israel's pride is a witness against them, so Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their sin. But Judah will also stumble with them.

"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.

"Come, let's go back to the Lord . He hurt us, but he will heal us. He wounded us, but he will put bandages on us.

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.

But the people broke the agreement as Adam did. They were unfaithful to me in their country.

A baker presses dough to make bread. He puts the bread in the oven. He does not make the fire hotter while the bread is rising. But the people of Israel are not like that. They are always making their fire hotter.

Strangers destroy Ephraim's strength, but Ephraim does not know it. Gray hairs are also sprinkled on Ephraim, but Ephraim does not know it.

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.

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.

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.

But Israel refused the good things, so the enemy chases him.

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.

The Israelites did a foolish thing—it was like trying to plant the wind. But they will get only troubles—they will harvest a whirlwind. The grain in the fields will grow, but it will give no food. Even if it grew something, strangers would eat it.

Yes, Israel was taken to the nations, but I will bring them back. But first, they must suffer a little by carrying the burden of that mighty king.

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 the grain from those threshing floors will not provide enough food for Israel. There will not be enough wine for Israel.