Book of Hosea Chapter 8 Vs. 14

 Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind

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. Hos. 8:14

For Israel hath... Israel multiplied temples and Judah increased fortified cities, all of which were to be destroyed because of sin.

and buildeth temples... The word here used for temple is used sixty times for Jehovah’s temple. The building of these temple-palaces was a distinct sin against the unity of the Godhead.

and Judah hath... Referred to by Sennacherib, in the inscription relating to the campaign of (701 B.C.). Forty-six of his (Hezekiah’s), strong cities, fortresses . . . I besieged, I captured.” These were erected by Uzziah and Jotham (2Ch. 26:10; 27:4). With the allusions to Israel’s temples (palaces; compare Amos 3:11; 3:15).

but I will... In the letter, the words relate to Judah; but in substance, the whole relates to both. Both had forgotten God; both had offended Him. In the doom of others, each sinner may read his own. Of the cities of Judah, Isaiah says, your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire (Isa. 1:7). And in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah, (some twelve years probably after the death of Hosea), Sennacherib came up against all the cities of Judah and took them (2 Kgs. 18:13).

shall devour the... And of Jerusalem it is related, that Nebuchadnezzar "burnt the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house he burnt with fire" (2Kgs. 25:8-9). Man set them on fire; God brought it to pass. And, in order to teach us that He doeth all things, giving all good, overruling all evil, saith that He was the doer of it.

We see now, that the making of these idols to worship was just an outward expression of the rebellion that was in their hearts.

Eph. 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

God loved them and wanted them to love Him too. God had not abandoned them; they had abandoned God. God had loved Israel and provided a way for them to be His. They have now walked away from Him to worship false gods. The punishment that comes is of their own making. Reluctantly God sends the fire of punishment to devour them.

With the single courage of conscience Amos had said to the people: You are bad; therefore, you must perish. But Hosea’s is the insight to follow the processes by which sin brings forth death-to trace, for instance, the effects of impurity upon a nation’s powers of reproduction, as well as upon its intellectual vigor.

A final illustration of the nation’s unfaithfulness was her self-sufficiency. Judah is specifically included in the indictment at this point. Having forgotten (cf. Hos. 2:13) that her very existence depended on the Lord alone (cf. his Maker), God’s people proudly sought prominence (palaces) and security (fortified many towns.… fortresses; cf. Hos. 10:14) through her own efforts. But the Lord was about to destroy (by fire) these sources of false security, fulfilling a covenant curse (cf. Deut. 28:52). God’s judgment came through the Assyrians. Sennacherib attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them (2Kgs. 18:13).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25 Vs. 7

 The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:7 “Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.”

Then all those... Then—when they heard the cry. They all arose to trim their lamps and get them in order. They all had lamps burning when they went to sleep, but the lamps of the foolish needed more oil. The Greek reads, our lamps are going out (Mat. 25:8). They asked for oil from the extra that the wise had, but were sent to buy some quickly (Mat. 25:9). Not out of their graves; for the righteous and wicked will not rise together; the dead in Christ will rise first. And this first resurrection will not be till Christ comes. This is the rapture.

Then all those virgins arose (τότε ἠγέρθησαν πᾶσαι αι παρθένοι ἐκεῖναι)

The Greek order is expressive. Then arose all the virgins, those former ones. Those (ἐκεῖναι) a pronoun of remoter reference, and emphatic by its position at the end of the sentence.

Trimmed (ἐκόσμησαν)

From κοσμός, order, and meaning to put in order or arrange. Tynd., prepared Trench (Parables) quotes from Ward (View of the Hindoos), describing a marriage ceremony in India: After waiting two or three hours, at length near midnight it was announced, as in the very words of Scripture, ' Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.' All the persons employed now lighted their lamps, and ran with them in their hands to fill up their stations in the procession. Some of them had lost their lights, and were unprepared, but it was then too late to seek them, and the cavalcade moved forward.

Their lamps (ἑαυτῶν)

Lit., their own lamps ; emphasizing the personal preparation in contrast with the foolish, who depended for supply on their fellows.

1Thes. 4:13-17 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.” “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” “According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.” “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

For the foolish virgins, it is sometimes midnight with them, and they are fallen fast asleep, but they shall be awaked, and arise; which arising here, as it respects them, signifies, that they were thoroughly awaken. That they quitted their former place and posture, were upon their feet, and ready to meet the bridegroom.

The foolish virgins also arose; which may intend some awakenings of conscience, and reformation of life, and a more diligent attendance on duties and ordinances; all which they did to make them fit for Christ, and to obtain salvation. But after all it appears, they were destitute of the oil of grace.

In this way time passes, till at an unexpected moment in the very middle of the night as it were, the cry is heard Behold the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Still no difference: each of the ten lamps is trimmed and lighted.

Remember, When Christ returns in glory, further separations will occur, as indicated by the Parable of the 10 Virgins. While various interpretations have been given to this parable, it seems best to understand it as a judgment on living Jews soon after the Lord’s return in glory.

Book of Hosea Chapter 8 Vs. 13

 Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind

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. Hos. 8:13

They sacrifice flesh... The sacrifices offered by them were eaten contrary to the law.

they shall return... Return in the sense of making alliances with, trusting in, and submitting to the Egyptians. They never did go back to Egypt as a nation; only a very small group went back after the fall of Jerusalem, and these were cursed for doing so (Jer. 43-44). Recalling the place of Israel’s former bondage, Hosea reminds them that Assyria will be their future Egypt (compare 9:3; 11:5; Deut. 28:68). A few Judean refugees actually did go to Egypt (2Kgs. 25:26). Isaiah used Sodom in a similar representative fashion (Isa 1:9-10).

accepteth them not... We mentioned in another lesson, that they were still going through the motion of worshipping God. They still sacrificed to God. Their sacrifices were unacceptable to God, because they were unfaithful to Him.

now will he... Their hearts were not with God. Christians, be careful why you go to church. Do not go because you are obligated to go. You would be committing the same sin they are committing here. We must go to church because we love God and want to fellowship with Him.

they shall return... The return to Egypt here, is symbolic of turning them back to the condition He found them in in Egypt. They were lost with no Redeemer. God sent Moses to bring them out of bondage from Egypt, now God is sending them back into bondage.

They slay burnt-offerings for Me and eat flesh. Jehovah hath no delight in them. Now must He remember their guilt and make visitation upon their sin. They-to Egypt-shall return.

Instead He would punish her for her sins by sending her into exile. Egypt stands here as a symbol for the place of future exile and bondage (cf. Hos. 9:3; 11:5; Deut. 28:68). This highlights the appropriateness of God’s judgment. In the deliverance from Egyptian bondage Israel had experienced God’s grace. Having spurned that grace, she would return to slavery.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25 Vs. 6

 The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:6 “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

And at midnight... Jewish weddings were generally celebrated at night, starting at the rise of the evening star; but in this case there was some extra delay and the bridegroom and his friends arrived at midnight.

cry made, Behold,... This was customary. Starting from the home of the bridegroom his friends began crying this and all along the route people would take up the joyous cry until it would get near enough to the home of the bride that it would wake up the sleeping ones.

There was a cry made (κραυγὴ γέγονεν)

Rev., there is a cry. The verb is in the perfect tense, representing the past event as perpetuated in the present result, and hence is rendered by the English present. At great and decisive change was the result of the cry. No more sleeping, waiting, or silence. There is a cry, and behold the awaking, the bustle, the trimming of lamps and the running to the oil-vendors.

go ye out... This was the duty of the ones chosen by the bride to welcome the bridegroom (Mat. 25:1, 25:6, 25:10).

To meet him (εἰς ἀπάντησιν)

The translation can hardly convey the meaning of the Greek phrase, which implies a custom or familiar ceremony. Come forth unto meeting.

In verse 5 doesn’t speak too highly of the church. It shows a church that was asleep. All ten were asleep. I am sorry to say this is a true description of the Spirit filled, as well as the salvation purchased churches today. You can hardly even tell that some of them are churches.

They mostly are making people comfortable enough that they go to sleep (oblivious to the things going on). In the middle of this sleep of the church, the Lord comes back at midnight. It is midnight in most churches today. There are very few salvations, healings, true deliverances, or raising the spiritually dead.

The churches as a whole, have a form of godliness, but deny the power, as we read (in 2Tim. 3:5). There are a few exceptions, but not nearly enough. Some churches for years, preached the return of Jesus. Now they have despaired that He has not come, and they have gone to sleep.

They are saying, well if He is not coming, at least we can have a good time in the church. Now, their services are appealing to the flesh rather than building up the Spirit.

The Bridegroom had come at that hour, all would have seemed equally ready. But the Bridegroom tarries, and while He tarries the business of the night must go on. In this way time passes, till at an unexpected moment in the very middle of the night as it were, the cry is heard "Behold the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.

At midnight… the bridegroom arrived.

Book of Hosea Chapter 8 Vs. 12

 Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind

I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. Hos. 8:12

I have written... Here Jehovah claimed to have written . . . great things, which proves that what Moses and others wrote to Israel was through inspiration from God. Men were the mere instruments (2Tim. 3:15-17). It was God who spoke by the prophets in all ages (Heb. 1:1); and in this age He has spoken by His Son (John 7:16; 8:28, 8:46-47; 12:49; 14:10, 14:24; 17:8) and by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; Heb. 2:4).

Israel has been duly warned; she is without excuse (compare 6:7; 8:1).

but they were... God had chosen the whole house of Israel to reveal His Word to. They were married to God on the way to the Promised Land. They made covenant with God to keep His commandment, and receive His blessings in return. They knew the law, and the consequences of not keeping that law. Their idolatry was with full knowledge. They disregarded the law of God and His commandments, and began to worship false gods.

Were I to write for him by myriads My laws, as those of a stranger would they be accounted.

Israel had built many altars, but at the same time had treated the many things of God’s Law (His covenant demands; cf. Hos. 8:1) as something alien.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25 Vs. 5

 The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:5 “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.”

The bridegroom tarried... That is, while they waited for him. It was uncertain at what time he would come. He delayed longer than they expected.

they all slumbered... During the hours before midnight, they all became sleepy and slept. This circumstance is not to be pressed to prove that all Christians will be asleep, or cold and careless, when the Lord Jesus shall come. Many may be, but many also, will be looking for his coming. This circumstance is designed simply to show more clearly the duty of being ready (Mat. 25:13).

Slumbered and slept (ἐνύσταξαν καὶ ἐκάθευδον)

Slumbered is, literally, nodded. Note the variation of tense. Nodded is aorist, denoting a transient act, the initial stage of slumber. They dropped their heads. Slept is imperfect, of continuous slumber.

It is not, then, by the temptation to sleep that the interval tests the virgins, but by bringing out a difference which has existed all the while, though at the first it did not appear. All seemed alike at the beginning of the night. Had not every one of them a lamp, with oil in it, and were not the lights of all the ten brightly burning? Yes, and if the bridegroom had come at that hour, all would have seemed equally ready. But the Bridegroom tarries, and while He tarries the business of the night must go on. In this way time passes, till at an unexpected moment in the very middle of the night as it were, the cry is heard "Behold the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.

Israel in the Tribulation will know that Jesus’ coming is near, but not all will be spiritually prepared for it. His coming will be sudden, when it is not expected (Mat. 24:27, 24:39, 24:50).

Book of Hosea Chapter 8 Vs. 11

 Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind

Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. Hos. 8:11

had made many... Multiplication of altars was condemned in the law (Deut. 12:5). The narrative (in Joshua chapter 22), shows that unity of altar and sanctuary was essential to the unity of the nation.

alters shall be... The last clause should be rendered, he had altars for sinning. The worship of God was degraded into the sensuous approaching Baal-worship. In the first clause sin equals transgression, in the last transgression plus guilt and peril.

It appears; the tribe of Ephraim led the way in the worship of false gods. Since he has built altars to false gods, all the altars he builds will be considered evil.

Another of Israel’s sins was its hypocritical ritualism. The people had built many altars for sin offerings. But these altars had become altars for sinning, as the religious acts conducted there were hypocritical. Sacrifices are an offense to God when not combined with a wholehearted devotion to His commandments (cf. Hos. 6:6; Isa. 1:11).

For Ephraim hath multiplied altars-to sin; altars are his own-to sin. Were I to write for him by myriads My laws, as those of a stranger would they be accounted.

Another of Israel’s sins was its hypocritical ritualism. The people had built many altars for sin offerings. But these altars had become altars for sinning, as the religious acts conducted there were hypocritical. Sacrifices are an offense to God when not combined with a wholehearted devotion to His commandments (cf. Hos. 6:6; Isa. 1:11).