Hosea 10:5-8

Idolatry brought destruction to Israel -- Hosea 10:5-8 : The entire population of Samaria would come to tremble with regret concerning the practice of idolatry. The calves at Bethel and Dan led the people from God. (1 Kings 12:29) These idols led to national corruption, shame and finally destruction in Assyria. The idols were the pride of the priests, but God would put them to shame. The glory of Israel was taken to Assyria. Assyria was symbolized by the name Jareb. Assyria was given victory over Israel; then Israel was disgraced for worshipping that idol.

Like foam or a twig upon the water the king of Samaria was swept away. Samaria, the cattail city stands for the entire nation of Israel. The nation of Israel was swept away with the ease of water caring away the foam. Without God Israel had no strength to defend themselves or to maintain as a nation. The altars at sinful Bethaven or Bethel had caused Israel to sin. God would cause them to grow over with thorns and thistles. The destruction would be so great and the dejection so deep that the people would be begging for the mountains and hills to cover and protect them. During his last few hours on earth Jesus refereed to or quoted these words saying, "Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us." (Luke 23:30)