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"He has increased the altars"

Text: Hosea 10:1

THE IMAGERY OF THE VINE

The vine was one of a number of imageries that described Israel. The olive and the fig trees are also used as national symbols.

“Israel empties his vine;
He brings forth fruit for himself.
According to the multitude of his fruit
He has increased the altars;
According to the bounty of his land
They have embellished his sacred pillars.”
Hosea 10:1

1. “Israel empties his vine”

a) It was once a fruitful vine.

b) It is now an empty one.

2. “He brings forth fruit for himself”

a) The Lord’s clear word was that the firstfruits were to be dedicated to Him.

b) The fruit of the land was always to be shared with the poor and needy.

c) But Israel had become self-centered and selfish.

3. “According to the multitude of his fruit he has increased the altars”

a) The yield of the land brought forth “a multitude of fruit”.

b) The LORD was not remembered for His grace and blessing.

c) Israel increased the number of altars to honour the idols they believed blessed their yield.

d) This was infuriating the LORD.

4. “According to the bounty of his land they have embellished his sacred pillars”

a) “The bounty of his land”

i) Israel had very fertile fields.

ii) Thus the crops grown fared well.

iii) The vine also did very well.

b) “They have embellished his sacred pillars”

i) This is a reference to idolatrous practices.

ii) Israel created many other places of worship for these idols.

iii) The nation also sought to embellish the shrines that they had made.

iv) The wealth that God provided for the nation was squandered on embellishments of the idolatrous places of worship. This angered the LORD too.