Why does God say, “They have set up kings, but not by me”?

God is pointing out that Israel chose its rulers without seeking him or caring about his will. They made political moves and power changes on their own terms, instead of honoring God as the true king over the nation. This shows their rebellion and self-rule. By saying, “I knew it not,” God is not ignorant, but disowns what they did, as if to say, “I did not approve this.” Their wrong leadership and wrong worship went together and helped lead them into judgment.

What is the “calf of Samaria” and why will it be broken in pieces?

The “calf of Samaria” refers to the idol in the northern kingdom, like the golden calf used in their worship. It was made from their silver and gold, shaped by a craftsman’s hands. God reminds them that something made by people cannot be God. Because this calf led them away from the true God, it will not protect them when trouble comes. Instead, it will be smashed to pieces. The breaking of the calf shows that idols are powerless and that trusting them only leads to shame and loss.

Why does God reject Israel’s sacrifices in this passage?

God says they sacrifice and eat the meat, but he does not accept them. The problem is not that they are not busy with religion, but that their hearts and lives are far from him. They have many altars “to sin,” worship idols, and treat God’s law as something strange. So their offerings become empty rituals. God will remember their iniquity instead of overlooking it. This shows that God cares more about obedience and faithfulness than about outward ceremony that is mixed with disobedience.

What does it mean that Israel has “forgotten his Maker”?

When God says Israel has forgotten his Maker, he means they have turned away from the God who created them and formed them as a people. Instead of trusting him, they build temples for false worship and look to strong walls and fenced cities for safety. Forgetting God here is not simply losing information; it is living as if God does not matter, replacing him with idols and human strength. This forgetfulness brings judgment, including fire on their cities and the loss of what they trusted in.

Why does Israel cry, “My God, we know thee,” and why is that a problem?

Israel cries, “My God, we know thee,” when trouble comes, trying to claim a close relationship with God. The problem is that their lives deny that claim. They have broken God’s covenant, thrown away what is good, and chased idols and foreign help. So their cry is shallow and hypocritical. They want God’s rescue without turning from their sins. This shows that saying the right words is not enough. True knowledge of God shows itself in trust, obedience, and loyalty to him alone.

What does this passage teach about idolatry and its consequences?

This passage shows that idolatry is not just bowing to a statue; it is replacing God with something made or chosen by us, whether that is a calf of gold, a self-chosen king, or foreign power. Idols are described as the work of a craftsman, not God, and God promises they will be broken. The people “sow the wind” by serving these false gods, and “reap the whirlwind” in invasion, loss, and exile. Idolatry brings emptiness, wasted effort, and finally God’s judgment, not safety.

What was happening with Assyria and “hired lovers” in this chapter?

The passage says Israel went up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering alone and that Ephraim hired lovers. This means Israel was running around seeking help from powerful nations instead of relying on God. They paid other nations, hoping to buy safety. God says that even though they hire among the nations, he himself will gather them for judgment, and they will suffer under a heavy king. Their alliances will not save them. Trusting in human help instead of God only adds to their sorrow.

How does the line “I have written to him the great things of my law” fit into this warning?

God reminds Israel that he has already given them his law in clear, important ways. They were not left in the dark. Yet they treated his words as something strange, out of place beside their own ideas and idols. This makes their sin worse, because they ignored what they knew. The warning shows that having God’s words is a great gift, but it also brings responsibility. When people push God’s word aside, they should not be surprised when their worship is empty and judgment follows.

Hos.8.1

Hosea 8:1

Q: What does “they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” mean?

The picture of sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind shows how empty and harmful Israel’s choices are. Sowing the wind means they poured their energy into what is empty and godless, like idols, self-chosen kings, and foreign help. Reaping the whirlwind means what comes back on them is far worse than what they put in: total loss, judgment, and exile. The verse also speaks of crops that never give real food, or are eaten by strangers, showing that their way of life will not bring blessing but ruin.

KJV GOD

Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind

1 Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

2 Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee.

3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.

4 They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.

5 ¶ Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?

6 For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

8 Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

9 For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.

10 Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.

11 Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.

12 I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

13 They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the Lord accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

14 For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.