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"They are gone because of destruction"

Text: Hosea 9:6

A SAD DESCRIPTION OF DESTRUCTION

It was sad to see the destruction of the nation that had begun so well. But destruction would come when the nation continued to disregard the Lord and His commandments.

“For indeed they are gone because of destruction.
Egypt shall gather them up;
Memphis shall bury them.
Nettles shall possess their valuables of silver;
Thorns shall be in their tents.”
Hosea 9:6

1. “For indeed they are gone because of destruction”

a) Israel had failed to note that it was headed for destruction.

b) The entire nation would be destroyed.

2. “Egypt shall gather them up”

a) Israel had turned to Egypt for support in the face of Assyrian invasion.

b) Egypt would gather them up:

i) But not because they would be a good ally.

ii) It would gather the people of Israel as corpses.

3. “Memphis shall bury them”

a) Israel thought it could escape death if the people fled to cities in Egypt like Memphis.

b) In reality, Memphis would be the burial ground for the refugees of Israel.

4. “Nettles shall possess their valuables of silver”

a) Valuables would be the last thing on the mind when one is fleeing for his life.

b) Yet some would still try and flee with their silver.

c) The silver would be lost along the way.

d) They would be found scattered among nettles (thorns).

5. “Thorns shall be their tents”

a) Tents are basic but important as shelters.

b) But the refugees of war would not even find tents available.

c) They would have to make do with whatever shelter they can find.

d) And they would try and find shelter among thorns!

e) The meaning was clear: They would not find shelter easily.

f) Thorns cannot give shelter as tents!