Hosea 10:8

Hosea 10:8 says, The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.  God was telling the people of Israel what was to come of their worshipping idols.  The high places where they committed the sin of idolatry were to be destroyed.  Soon, there would be no evidence of their existence.  The thorns and thistles would overtake them.  The same is true of any idol we allow to come between us and our relationship with God.  One day, they will no longer be remembered in the world or in heaven.  Still, Israel, those chosen to be God's people, would be looking to those high places for deliverance instead of returning to God.  If we allow things to get between God and us, we must look to God for forgiveness, and never be guilty of looking to those things that have failed us.  Verse nine adds, O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.  I believe Hosea was telling the people of Israel that God saw that their iniquity was greater than those of their forefathers.  As God's people, they were to represent Him to the world and lead the people around them to God.  Instead, they chose to be led by the world and bring dishonor to God.  As followers of Christ, we need to make sure that we lead the world to Him and never allow ourselves to be lead away from God.  Verse ten continues, It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.  God did not desire their destruction but was going to allow them to be chastised for their disobedience.  When we are out of God's will, He will allow us to be chastised so that we might look to Him again for our strength.  Verse eleven states, And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. I believe God was telling the people of Israel that they were all to become slaves to other nations.  They had been free to enjoy the fruits of their labor, but now were to be yoked to labor for others.  Verse twelve continues, Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.   God was calling for them to return to Him.  Their coming captivity was a result of their disobedience to God, but He stood ready to forgive them whenever they repented and returned to Him.  If we stray from God, He stands ready today to forgive and restore us.  We need to sow righteousness so that we may reap mercy.  I don't believe this means we are to work for restoration with God, but that when we return to Him righteousness will flow from us as we claim His mercy toward us.  Verse thirteen states, Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.  God's people were living wicked lives filled with iniquity because they had believed the lies of the world instead of the truth of God.  They put their faith in mighty men instead of God.  Verse fourteen adds, Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.  Israel was to be left without God's protection, and they would be completely destroyed.  If we allow anything to come between God and us, the results of our labor will ultimately be completely destroyed.  Verse fifteen continues, So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.  The kingdom of Israel was to be without a king and cease to exist as a separate nation because of their failing to keep their covenant relationship with God.  Through Christ, we enter into a covenant relationship with God, so we need to strive to live for Him.  When we do, we need not fear anyone or anything in this world. We are God's for time everlasting.