Daily Devotions

Hosea

Hosea 
Day 
Day 122

"Tumult shall arise among your people"

Text: Hosea 10:14

GRIM FOREWARNING OF THE ASSYRIAN INVASION

Israel’s trust in the strength of its army was a huge mistake. The Assyrians were led by powerful kings with armies that dwarfed the army of Israel.

“Therefore tumult shall arise among your people,
And all your fortresses shall be plundered
As Shalman plundered Beth Arbel in the day of battle-
A mother dashed in pieces upon her children.”
Hosea 10:14

1. “Therefore tumult shall arise among your people”

a) This tumult would arise when Israel realized just how huge the Assyrian army was.
b) Fear would arise in the hearts of the king and his military commanders.
c) It would spread throughout the nation.

2. “And all your fortresses shall be plundered”

a) Israel had built many fortresses.
b) These had been successful for they protected the borders of Israel effectively.
c) But these fortresses would be destroyed by the Assyrians.
d) They would be plundered by the invading army.
e) The frightening word was found in the simple word, “All!”

3. “As Shalman plundered Beth Arbel in the day of battle”

a) Shalman may be the shortened form of King Shalmaneser.
b) There were a few kings who bore this name.
c) Shalmaneser V was the one who conquered Samaria.
d) The actual location of Beth Arbel is not known.

4. “A mother dashed in pieces upon her children”

a) This was cited as an example of how the Assyrians made war.
b) They did not just defeat their enemies in battle.
c) They sought to terrify people by doing very cruel things.
d) This was an example of how they treated their prisoners.
i) A mother is selected as an example.
ii) She would be killed in a very brutal way.
iii) She would be dashed to pieces against her own children.

This was truly barbaric!