Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 12:11

11 Is there iniquity in Gilead ? surely they are vanity, they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields .

In this concise interrogatory the Prophet warns the refractory ungodly Israelites by an Example of Gods wrath on them. About An. M. 3264. at Ahaz request and charges Tiglath Pileser, 2 King. 15 29. came up against Israel and took Gilead among other Towns, leading the inhabitants Captives, now some 16, or 17 years after doth our Prophet mind the sinful and secure Ephraimites what they must expect, and doth it in this pungent question, is there iniquity in Gilead? i. e. is there onely? or is there more? much like that of Christs, Luk. 13.2. [illegible: 1 word] ye them greater sinners? Be it, Captive Gilead was all iniquity, and Gilgal is no better.

That come up to Gilgal to Sacrifice, are Idolaters, they sin against God in offering to them▪ and against their own welfare in trusting to them, both ways they appear to be vanity; whilest they multiply these Altars and Sacrifices, they multiply their sins, Gods displeasure is increased, and the danger more near and dreadful.

Idolat[illegible: 1 letter]o[illegible: 1 letter]s Israel thou aboundest in Altars, but if they are for number like heaps of stones, gathered out of plowed land and laid in furrows, they are as common too i. e. as far from sacred, as far from commending any offering to God, or atoning his displeasure. And canst thou Ephraim hope to escape whose sins exceed the sins of captive Gilead? wilt thou never be wise, never warn'd, never repent?

Marginal references: chap. 6.[illegible: 1 letter].; chap. 4.1[illegible: 1 letter]. & 9.15. Amo[illegible: 1 letter] 4.4. & 5.5.