11 Since Ephraim has multiplied altars for sin , They have become altars of sinning for him. 12 Though I wrote for him ten thousand precepts of My law , They are regarded as a strange thing . 13 As for My sacrificial gifts , They sacrifice the flesh and eat it, But the Lord has taken no delight in them. Now He will remember their iniquity , And punish them for their sins ; They will return to Egypt . 14 For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces ; And Judah has multiplied fortified cities , But I will send a fire on its cities that it may consume its palatial dwellings .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 8:11-14
Commentary on Hosea 8:11-14
(Read Hosea 8:11-14)
It is a great sin to corrupt the worship of God, and will be charged as sin on all who do it, how plausible soever their excuses may seem to be. The Lord had caused his law to be written for them, but they cared not to know, and would not obey it. Man seems by the temples he builds to be mindful of his Maker, yet really he has forgotten him, because he has cast off all his fear; but none ever hardened his heart against God and prospered. So long as men despise the truths and precepts of God's word, and the ordinances of his worship, all the observances and offerings, however costly, of their own devising, will be unto them for sin; for those services only are acceptable to God, which are done according to his word, and through Jesus Christ.