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COMMENTARY ON HOSEA, CHAPTER TEN Israel is a luxuriant vine, his crop abundant. He multiplied the altars in keeping with the great size of the crops, and erected pillars in keeping with the good things of his land. They divided their hearts, now they will be done away with. He will overturn their altars, their pillars will wear out (vv.1–2). FTER SAYING that Ephraim suffered in its roots and would be fruitless in the manner of those who have no children, since the savagery of the Assyrians consumed their offspring, he necessarily shows also that in the past they proved fruitful when they wisely lived a life in keeping with the Law. To its neighboring nations, in fact, it appeared like a lovely and luxuriant vine and was rightly admired. In regard to it, the blessed David also says somewhere in the book of Psalms to God the Savior of all, “You transferred a vine out of Egypt, you drove out the nations and planted it, you went as guide before it. It extended its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the river”; in fact, it was planted “in a horn and in a rich place,” as the prophet says.1 (206) Instead of producing grapes, however, it bore thorns; in other words, in response to the vast number of good things given to it, it showed itself to be hand-in-glove, as it were, with iniquity; clearly it was hostile to God. In fact, it multiplied altars and erected pillars: the more it was enriched with good things from on high, the greater zeal it displayed for profane worship by bowing down to demons, erecting altars, and dividing its heart with the error of polytheism. But this, he says, would not last. How so? He will overturn their altars, and their pillars will wear out, obviously by being smashed and overthrown. Now, in he you would be correct in seeing a reference to the omnipotent God of all, or the person 194 1. Ps 80.8–9, 11; Is 5.1 LXX. of the Babylonian, as demonstrated often before. It transpired, in fact, that in the cities of Samaria the very temples were burnt down and the statues seized. It behoves us, therefore, to offer thanks joyfully for what we have from God, and not get caught up in the extent of our enjoyment and be misled into displeasing him. Instead, we should seek and exert ourselves to achieve with all enthusiasm the fruits of virtue , not divided by worldly passions or submitting our necks to Satan. It is in fact true, as Christ says, “No one can serve two masters : you will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other.” If we are divided, and “are jackals’ portions,” in the words of the psalmist,2 we shall suffer complete deprivation of the one who is able to bring us enjoyment . (207) Hence now they will say, We have no king, because we did not fear the Lord. But what will a king do for us? Uttering words, false pretexts, he will make a covenant (vv.3–4). He not only said that their altars will be shaken and pillars wear out, but added that they will also show repentance and mourning for their own stupidity. Thwarted in their hopes and deceived by the false statements of those in charge, they will finally and at a late stage understand; those among them who occupied the throne of the kingdom claimed that the golden heifers and security from the other idols would suffice for assistance, even if they did not have the divine Law, even if they chose not to observe the requirements imposed through Moses. Experience, however, showed them to be false. They saw those who had made this arrangement for them in the past and who had spoken in ill-advised fashion falling under the domination of the foe. Consequently, he says, We have no king, because we did not fear the Lord; lo, they said, lo, there is no one to give aid or resist the incursions of the Babylonians; instead, everyone has lost heart, the leaders are disbanded and have fallen. The cause of their weakness and ours is that we did not fear the Lord. What kind of benefit, he asks, comes from those in power? There was nothing from them except false words and futile covenants or promises (the...

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