The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Additional Content)

Luke 15:11-32 (NKJV)

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

I have heard this story for years. I have never made the connection that you will see in just a moment. I was taught this is a story all about the sinner. The Father has always represented YHWH, and the “older son” represented the “bad” Jew. Now, after studying so much of the Old Testament, and learning the things I now know, I believe it is close, but also way off. There is a much more specific understanding of this parable. Everyone who knew the scriptures in the days of Yeshua, would have definitely understood what He was saying when He spoke this parable.

In the beginning days of Israel, there were twelve tribes. These twelve tribes made up the entire Kingdom of Israel. Because of the reign of Solomon, Israel was split into two kingdoms. There was the Southern kingdom known as the House of Judah, made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Then there was the Northern kingdom known as the House of Israel, made up of the remaining ten tribes of Israel. During the reign of David, YHWH mad a promise to him that there would always be one of his descendants ruling Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 7:12-16

“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

Psalm 132:11

The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it: “I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body.

1 Kings 9:5

then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’

As we can clearly see, the house of Judah, David was a Jew, will never lose mercy from YHWH. However, there is no promise given to the House of Israel. David is the “older son” from the story. So, what I was taught in Sunday school was correct in that aspect. The “older son” does represent the Jews. But, the Jews are not bad, just jealous.

The parable talks about the Father having two sons. If David represents the “older son”, then who is the younger? Well, we also know David is a representative of the House of Judah, and the whole of Israel was split into two kingdoms, therefore, we can conclude the younger son is a representative of the House of Israel. This will make a lot more sense in a few moments.

Let’s consider this idea. We know that for much longer than the last 2000 years, only the Jews have been practicing the keeping of Torah. Ever since the House of Israel was scattered among the nations they have completely abandoned the Law of YHWH. In doing so, they have wholly assimilated and adopted the gentile worshiping practices to false gods.

Alright, so in the parable, we see the younger son has gone out into the nations while the older son stayed home with the Father. If I am correct, home is Israel and the nations are the gentile nations of the world. This is exactly how the Bible explains what happened to the two houses, Judah, the older brother stayed home, and Israel the younger brother was scattered about the nations. The House of Judah kept Jerusalem after the split, making it the “older brother” so to speak.

The Northern Kingdom was taken captive into Assyria and never returned to Israel. The Southern Kingdom was taken captive into Babylon, but did return to the land. When Judah came back, they continued to keep the Laws of YHWH, known as the Torah. Israel did not. Israel went the complete opposite way with this abandoning all of the Law of YHWH. They continued to sacrifice their children to the false gods, they worshiped other gods by decorating trees in their living rooms among other things.

While the younger brother was out among the nations, he abandoned all the rules of the Fathers house, we see this with the idea that he was living recklessly, or prodigal living. He even went so far a joining himself to a country and ate what the swine ate. Now, we must understand that pigs or swine was a reference to the gentiles. Furthermore, joining oneself to a country simply means assimilating to that country or becoming so much like the people of that country that you were indistinguishable from them. Again, This is exactly what the prophecy foretold would happen to the House of Israel. They were scattered among the nations, and assimilated into the gentile nations, becoming gentiles themselves. They no longer keep the Laws of YHWH and even eat unclean foods, just as the gentiles do.

The parable goes on to say that while in this state of being lost, the prodigal son realizes being back with his Father is a much better life than what he has now. Again, this is what the prophecy says about Israel. While living in sin among the gentiles, they will long for the Laws of YHWH. They will begin to call upon His name and return to His Laws.

When he does return to his Father, He accepts him with open arms. There is a big feast to celebrate the return of His son. We read about this feast in Revelation. After the full amount of the gentiles have returned, there is the big marriage feast. This parable is an exact match to everything else we see in the Bible. The only thing missing is the link between Israel and the younger son. Even Judah is jealous of the fact the gentiles are trying to keep the Torah today. Israel is waking up and starting to return to the YHWH’s Laws. Prophecy is happening right before our very eyes. The Jews are not happy about it, but soon enough, Israel will be joined again back with Judah and they will be one stick combined just as the prophet Ezekiel talks about.

Here is the prophecy given from YHWH Himself.

Deuteronomy 4:23-31

Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. “When you beget children and grandchildren and have grown old in the land, and act corruptly and make a carved image in the form of anything, and do evil in the sight of the Lord your God to provoke Him to anger, I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples (nations), and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. And there you will serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.

Deuteronomy 30:1-6

“Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God drives you, and you return to the Lord your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you. If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

From this point, I would like to point out the link between this story, the prophecy given, and the prophecy of the New Covenant found both in the Old and New Testaments. It is absolutely amazing how this all fits so perfectly together with the identity of the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Next you will read what is stated in the New Testament concerning the New Covenant.

Hebrews 8:6-13

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”  In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

First I want to make note of the word better. Better means more effective considering it is being used as an adjective and not a verb. Had this word been used as a verb, the argument could be made that the covenant itself was better than the previous, but that isn’t the case. As an adjective it simply means more effective. If this covenant is more effective, it must be more effective at obtaining the original outcome or purpose. The original covenant purpose was to get men to follow the ways or Laws of YHWH. Therefore, we can conclude this “New Covenant” is a more effective way of getting men to follow His Law. So, how is that possible? The author goes on to tell us exactly that in the following verses. Next we read the new covenant is built on better promises. So what is that promise? Again, we will find out in just a few short verses.

Now, this is where everyone always says, “see, there was a problem with the old Covenant, there was a problem with the Law”. The problem is those who make this claim, fail to read the very next sentence. The fault, or problem does not lie with the Law, or the Covenant itself, but rather with the people who chose not to follow that Law. That is exactly what we read about earlier. The house of Israel chose not to follow the Law of YHWH, and YHWH “disregarded them”. It is because they chose not to do this, they were divorced by YHWH and ultimately ended up getting scattered among the nations of gentiles. This is the reason for a New Covenant. There must be a way for the House of Israel to return to YHWH without breaking His own given Law. Also, notice the New Covenant is going to be made with only the House of Judah, and the House of Israel. There is no brand new completely different law given to only the gentiles.

Now, for the answer to the earlier posed questions, what is a more effective way to get men to follow His Law, and what is the better promise, it is right here. The new covenant will be different from the Old in terms of it wont be given to men and men have the choice to keep it. Both questions are answered by the same thing, the Holy Spirit. Notice, YHWH says “this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days.” There is no mention of Judah here. It is very interesting considering the link between the prodigal son, Judah has always been with the Father, keeping His law, but Israel did not. Israel was divorced. YHWH says, “I will put my laws on their mind and write them on their hearts”. This is different than what happened “according to their fathers”. YHWH put His law on a tablet and told them to put it on their minds and write it on their own hearts. Notice, it is still the same Law. It is at this point where YHWH says He will have mercy on them for their sin. Remember, when Israel chose to return to his father, the father had mercy on him and took him into His house for a celebration. The prophecy said the very same thing for the House of Israel.

So, how does the Holy Spirit answer both questions? Following you will read the Old Testament prophecy concerning the purpose of the Holy Spirit.

Ezekiel 36:24-27

For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

This prophecy matches almost exactly with the parable of the prodigal son. YHWH takes “them” back from the nations to their own home. He cleans them up, and rids them of their sinful ways. He then gives them His Spirit that will cause them to do all His commandments. This is how the New Covenant works! It does not have new laws, but the same laws. It is better because it no longer requires men to choose to keep the Law of YHWH, but rather, gives men the Spirit of YHWH which causes them to keep it. Instead of the Law being written on stone, it is now written on the hearts of men. Better promises, more effective covenant.

The Two Sticks Prophecy

There is another prophecy that can be linked together with this particular parable. This is the prophecy of the two sticks found in the book of Ezekiel. This particular prophecy has been used to “prove” the gentiles and the Jews will be one under Jesus. That is, in my opinion, a very close theory to what I saying here, but I think it misses the bigger picture of who the gentiles actually are in this particular prophecy.

Ezekiel 37:15-28

Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: ‘For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.’ Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.

“And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not show us what you mean by these?’— say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.” ’ And the sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.

“Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

“David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.  My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” ’ ”

YHWH says take a stick and mark it Judah, then take another stick and mark it Ephraim. The stick marked Judah is for all those living in the land of Israel. The stick marked Ephraim is for the House of Israel. These are the two houses that are continually spoken of in all the prophecies and throughout the entire Bible. Once the two sticks have been marked, they are to be joined together as one.

Next, the people ask for help understanding this prophecy. YHWH says He will take the House of Israel and join them with the House of Judah to make them one stick, or one people group. He will gather all His people from among the gentile nations and bring them back to the land of Israel. In the land of Israel YHWH will have one king over the entire combine nation. The two will be one and never again be divided into two nations, and they will keep His Law, and no longer defile themselves. He even says He will cleanse them. We see this terminology in the last prophecy, indicating once again it is the very same prophecy given in a different way. Once all this happens, these two Houses will once again be His people and He will be their God.

David, who is a representing Yeshua, will be the king over these people. These people will be keeping the Law of YHWH, and doing them. They will dwell in the land He gave to Israel. Next, there is the prophecy that states, during the time Yeshua is reigning over them, they will be multiplied, meaning children will be born during the millennial reign. The temple of YHWH, where YHWH will dwell, will be within the country limits where His people live.

The House of Israel, the younger brother, in this prophecy are scattered among the nations. They will be gathered back together in the land of Israel. They will be joined together with the House of Judah, who is the older brother. After all this, it should be clear that all these prophecies are really the same one, given in many different ways or parables.

Next I will link the prophecy of the Valley of the Dry Bones to this very same idea. This prophecy has been used in so many different ways, but for the most part, those using it stop short from who YHWH says it is referencing. I assure you, that will not be the case here.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”

So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”

Here we have Ezekiel being taken into the Spirit, similar to John in Revelation. I believe this is representative of being taken to see future events. Considering in both cases, the author “sees” what is to come. While in the Spirit, Ezekiel sees a valley full of dry bones of slain, or murdered, men. He is ordered to prophecy to these bones to come back to life. It is not until this occurs that “then” these people belonging to these bones will know YHWH is God.

Even after they begin to know who God is, they still have no breath, which is, in my opinion, the Holy Spirit. But then we see they are prophesied to receive breath, or the Holy Spirit. Remember from earlier, the Holy Spirits purpose is to cause them to keep and do the Law of YHWH. Now, once these bones are brought back to life and given breath, they stood up and are a great army.

Now, here is the part that always is left out. YHWH says outright, these bones are the House of Israel. Now, let’s think about this. YHWH scattered the House of Israel into the gentile nations. While there, they were separated from Him. They were in a sense, dead spiritually. They even went so far as to claim, “our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off”. But, YHWH opens up their graves and brings them back to life. This is all similar terminology to what Paul uses throughout his writings in the New Testament. Once these bones are brought back to life, they are physically taken back to the land of Israel. Again, this is the same prophecy about the House of Israel, being scattered among the nations, then turning back to YHWH, being brought back to life, followed by returning to His Laws, being given the breath or Holy Spirit. After this, they are taken back to their original land.

How amazing is all of this? The prophecies concerning the “gentiles” and YHWH’s people all tell the exact same story of how He plans to bring His people back to Him. They are all different versions of the very same prophecy. Our God is amazing, and He truly does love His chosen people, that is, all of Israel.

Hosea Chapter 9 Breakdown

1 Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other peoples, For you have played the harlot against your God. You have made love for hire on every threshing floor.

Israel should not rejoice with the other gentiles of the nations they have been scattered into. The house of Israel has not been faithful to YHWH. Israel has loved sinning against YHWH on the floors of barns.

2 The threshing floor and the winepress Shall not feed them, And the new wine shall fail in her.

Without realizing these false gods will not feed them. The new wine will not satisfy them.

3 They shall not dwell in the Lord’s land, But Ephraim shall return to Egypt, And shall eat unclean things in Assyria.

The House of Israel will not remain living in the land of Israel, but they will be scattered. Some will find themselves in Egypt, others will turn up in Assyria. They will eat what YHWH has called unclean. This is quite interesting to me considering the prophecy says the House of Israel will eat unclean animals, and many believers today argue tooth and nail that it is okay to eat what YHWH has called unclean.

4 They shall not offer wine offerings to the Lord, Nor shall their sacrifices be pleasing to Him. It shall be like bread of mourners to them; All who eat it shall be defiled. For their bread shall be for their own life; It shall not come into the house of the Lord.

Israel will no longer give up wine offerings to YHWH, nor will any of their sacrifices be accepted. When they make their sacrifices, it will be considered done for idols and will be as unclean. They will not be allowed to bring their offerings into the Temple of YHWH.

5 What will you do in the appointed day, And in the day of the feast of the Lord?

So, what will Israel do during the feast days of YHWH?

6 For indeed they are gone because of destruction. Egypt shall gather them up; Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess their valuables of silver; Thorns shall be in their tents.

Israel is gone into destruction. Egypt has gathered them up, Memphis buries them. They will lose their valuables in the wilderness. Thorns will grow through their tents.  

7 The days of punishment have come; The days of recompense have come. Israel knows! The prophet is a fool, The spiritual man is insane, Because of the greatness of your iniquity and great enmity.

Israel’s punishment of being scattered has come. They will now fulfill the prophecy for breaking the Law of YHWH.

Leviticus 26:27-33

‘And after all this, if you do not obey Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters. I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and cast your carcasses on the lifeless forms of your idols; and My soul shall abhor you. I will lay your cities waste and bring your sanctuaries to desolation, and I will not smell the fragrance of your sweet aromas. I will bring the land to desolation, and your enemies who dwell in it shall be astonished at it. I will scatter you among the nations and draw out a sword after you; your land shall be desolate and your cities waste.

All this is exactly what we have been reading is happing to Israel. It is prophecy fulfilled.

8 The watchman of Ephraim is with my God; But the prophet is a fowler’s snare in all his ways— Enmity in the house of his God.

There are watchmen in the House of Israel for YHWH, but the prophets set traps with bait, causing men to sin against YHWH.

9 They are deeply corrupted, As in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity; He will punish their sins.

The prophets are deeply corrupted. YHWH will remember their sin, and He will punish those sins.

10 “I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.

Israel was something special, YHWH refers to them as grapes in the desert. However, the House of Israel turned their worship to Baal and separated themselves from YHWH. Now they are an abomination, just like the things they worship.

11 As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird— No birth, no pregnancy, and no conception!

The House of Israel lost all their glory.

12 Though they bring up their children, Yet I will bereave them to the last man. Yes, woe to them when I depart from them!

YHWH will not be watching over the children of Ephraim, and will leave them. Woe to those children without YHWH.

13 Just as I saw Ephraim like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place, So Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer.”

The House of Israel had been in a great location, but now they will kill their children, sacrifice them to idols.

14 Give them, O Lord— What will You give? Give them a miscarrying womb And dry breasts!

Hosea calls out for them to make their women miscarry and no longer be able to breast feed these children.

15 “All their wickedness is in Gilgal, For there I hated them. Because of the evil of their deeds I will drive them from My house; I will love them no more. All their princes are rebellious.

Israel has become wicked and YHWH hates them for it. YHWH sends them out of His land. YHWH no longer shows love to them. Their leaders are all disobedient.

16 Ephraim is stricken, Their root is dried up; They shall bear no fruit. Yes, were they to bear children, I would kill the darlings of their womb.”

The House of Israel is troubled, the roots of their olive tree have dried up. They can no longer do good works. They will miscarry.

17 My God will cast them away, Because they did not obey Him; And they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Hosea says YHWH will scatter them, and throw them away. He does this because they do not keep His commandments. They will now be wanderers throughout the nations.

Hosea Chapter 8 Breakdown

1 “Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of the Lord, Because they have transgressed My covenant And rebelled against My law.

Israel has sinned against YHWH’s covenant, and rebelled against His Law. “He” shall come like an eagle against the house of YHWH, or the country of Israel.

2 Israel will cry to Me, ‘My God, we know You!’

At this time, Israel will cry out to YHWH. This sound very familiar.

Matthew 7:22-23

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Now, if we couple these two passages together, we can see they are in the same context. We know Yeshua says He came only for the “lost sheep of the house of Israel”. Throughout the entire book of Hosea the story revolves around the House of Israel being sinful and living in lawlessness against YHWH. Because of this they were scattered among the gentile nations of the world reaching to the furthest corners of the Earth. In the last days during the tribulation and wrath of YHWH, men will call out to Him, but He will have to say, I never knew you because He is the Law, and they refused to know it, and keep it.

3 Israel has rejected the good; The enemy will pursue him.

Because Israel chose to go against YHWH’s Law, they will be pursued by their enemies.

4 “They set up kings, but not by Me; They made princes, but I did not acknowledge them. From their silver and gold They made idols for themselves— That they might be cut off.

Israel will set up their kings, but not according to YHWH’s will. This particular verse really stood out to me because so many people believe no matter who is in charge, YHWH has made them in charge. Unfortunately, this verse seems to contradict that thought process. Yes, YHWH does place certain people in positions of power, but He does so when men work according to His Law.

Israel appointed princes but  YHWH did not give recognition. Israel made idols of silver and gold, and have been cut off from YHWH.

5 Your calf is rejected, O Samaria! My anger is aroused against them— How long until they attain to innocence?

Sacrifices have been rejected, and YHWH’s anger is great against them. But they do not return to His ways.

6 For from Israel is even this: A workman made it, and it is not God; But the calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.

Even Israel acknowledged it is not a god, but worship it anyway. This is why the calf of Samaria will be shattered.

7 “They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; It shall never produce meal. If it should produce, Aliens would swallow it up.

Israel plants seeds of wind and reaps no benefit. Their works will produce no profit. But, if it does produce profit, strangers will take it away from them.

8 Israel is swallowed up; Now they are among the Gentiles Like a vessel in which is no pleasure.

Israel has been scattered throughout the gentile nations.

9 For they have gone up to Assyria, Like a wild donkey alone by itself; Ephraim has hired lovers.

Israel has been taken to Assyria, alone without Judah. Ephraim has paid for false gods.

10 Yes, though they have hired among the nations, Now I will gather them; And they shall sorrow a little, Because of the burden of the king of princes.

Even though they have paid for false god within the gentile nations, YHWH will gather them up. They shall weep because of the prophecies from the King of princes.

11 “Because Ephraim has made many altars for sin, They have become for him altars for sinning.

The House of Israel has made many alters for their sin, to their false gods, they too have become an alter in and of themselves for sinning.

12 I have written for him the great things of My law, But they were considered a strange thing.

YHWH has written and given Israel all the great things of His Law, but they rejected it because it was strange to them.

13 For the sacrifices of My offerings they sacrifice flesh and eat it, But the Lord does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins. They shall return to Egypt.

Israel makes sacrifices of flesh, to YHWH, then they eat it. YHWH does not accept these offerings. He remembers their sin and punishes them for it. They will be sent to Egypt.

14 “For Israel has forgotten his Maker, And has built temples; Judah also has multiplied fortified cities; But I will send fire upon his cities, And it shall devour his palaces.”

The House of Israel has forgotten YHWH and built temples for other gods. Judah even has built great cities. YHWH will burn it all down and destroy the palaces.

Hosea Chapter 7 Breakdown

1 “When I would have healed Israel, Then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered, And the wickedness of Samaria. For they have committed fraud; A thief comes in; A band of robbers takes spoil outside.

YHWH wanted to repair the relationship with Israel, but the sin of Ephraim and Samaria were great. They were deceitful. A thief enters and an army invades the streets.

2 They do not consider in their hearts That I remember all their wickedness; Now their own deeds have surrounded them; They are before My face.

Israel does not even take into consideration that YHWH does not forget all the wicked things He has seen them do. All their evil deeds have turned them away from the presence of YHWH.

3 They make a king glad with their wickedness, And princes with their lies.

Israel is pleasing Kings and other people of high places, because they perform wicked acts and tell lies. Basically, they are doing things which break the Law of YHWH and that means they are giving in to the desires of the flesh.

4 “They are all adulterers. Like an oven heated by a baker— He ceases stirring the fire after kneading the dough, Until it is leavened.

All Israel have been worshipping other gods. Israel started out on fire for YHWH, then they stopped feeding the fire when they began sinning. Leaven is a reference to sin in many instances throughout the Bible.

5 In the day of our king Princes have made him sick, inflamed with wine; He stretched out his hand with scoffers.

Israel has become sin, drunk with wine. Israel has continued with the arrogant.

6 They prepare their heart like an oven, While they lie in wait; Their baker sleeps all night; In the morning it burns like a flaming fire.

All Israel desire to do sin and endulge in the fleshly yearnings.

7 They are all hot, like an oven, And have devoured their judges; All their kings have fallen. None among them calls upon Me.

Israel has killed off those who sit in the position of judging. Their kings have fallen, and no one left calls out for YHWH.

8 “Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned.

Israel has intermarried with the nations and has taken on their pagan traditions. Israel is a like a cake not turned, meaning he is half baked. He has went astray and did not turn back.

9 Aliens have devoured his strength, But he does not know it; Yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, Yet he does not know it.

Strangers have taken the strength of Israel, and he doesn’t even know it. Israel has given up his power, that power came from knowing YHWH. Israel has become old and grown grey.

10 And the pride of Israel testifies to his face, But they do not return to the Lord their God, Nor seek Him for all this. “Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense— They call to Egypt, They go to Assyria.

Israel’s pride works against him as witness. Still they do not return to YHWH. They do not seek after YHWH either. Israel looks for help everywhere, except from YHWH.

12 Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them; I will bring them down like birds of the air; I will chastise them According to what their congregation has heard.

No matter where Israel ends up, YHWH will bring them down, and discipline them according to the prophecy they have heard.

13 “Woe to them, for they have fled from Me! Destruction to them, Because they have transgressed against Me! Though I redeemed them, Yet they have spoken lies against Me.

YHWH says, woe to them for fleeing from me. They will suffer destruction because they have broken His law. He will redeem them even though they have spoken lies against Him.

14 They did not cry out to Me with their heart When they wailed upon their beds. “They assemble together for grain and new wine, They rebel against Me;

1 Kings 18:28

So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.

Here we can see what YHWH is saying as well as what Israel was doing. This is simply breaking the Law of YHWH.

15 Though I disciplined and strengthened their arms, Yet they devise evil against Me; They return, but not to the Most High; They are like a treacherous bow. Their princes shall fall by the sword For the cursings of their tongue. This shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.

YHWH had disciplined them, showing how He loved them, and made them a strong nation, they still chose to rebel against Him. They do not return to YHWH, and are unfaithful. Their leaders will be killed for resentment of YHWH with their speech.

Hosea Chapter 6 Breakdown

1 Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

Israel will finally say, let us return to YHWH and His ways. YHWH, has torn us, but will heal us. He has afflicted us, but will bind us.

2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.

This verse is a very interesting verse concerning its translation. It starts off by saying “after two”, there is no Hebrew word to warrant these words be placed here aside from it saying third day. It seems more likely this verse should say, “one day He will redeem us, then on the third day He will arise, that we may live in His sight”. If this is the case, it makes more sense in my mind because it is more specific as to what to expect, but at the same time still mysterious as to when. This also fits exactly with what we see from Yeshua.

3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

When we start getting into the Hebrew here, it is quite interesting in deed. This verse again has a slightly misleading translation. It is at this point we will know and pursue the knowledge of YHWH. From this act, He will be established as the dawn, like the rising sun. He will enter into us like rain, teaching the whole earth.

4 “O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away.

YHWH asks the House of Israel as well as the House of Judah, what should become of them. He then calls them out on their fading belief.

5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments are like light that goes forth.

Because of this, YHWH has divided the two houses according to the prophets. They have been killed according to His own Word because His judgements are like light that goes forward.

6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

YHWH wants us to show mercy, not sacrifice of our children, and to have the knowledge of YHWH, rather than giving burnt offerings. Now, this does not mean He doesn’t want us to do these things, but what it does mean is the other things need to be addressed first.  

7 “But like men they transgressed the covenant; There they dealt treacherously with Me.

But, like Adam, Israel broke the Law of YHWH. They were unfaithful in keeping their vows, which were His Laws.

8 Gilead is a city of evildoers And defiled with blood.

Gilead is a place of great evil, and defiled with blood. This is likely a place where children were being sacrificed to false gods.

9 As bands of robbers lie in wait for a man, So the company of priests murder on the way to Shechem; Surely they commit lewdness.

Similar to robbers waiting for a victim, the priests of Israel murder while going to Shechem. This is according to their plans.

10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: There is the harlotry of Ephraim; Israel is defiled.

YHWH has witnessed these horrible things being done by the House of Israel. Israel has been defiled.

 

11 Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, When I return the captives of My people.

Judah will also receive a harvest when the House of Israel is returned back to YHWH.

Hosea Chapter 5 Breakdown

1 “Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For yours is the judgment, Because you have been a snare to Mizpah And a net spread on Tabor.

YHWH calls to the priests, and tells Israel to pay attention. The judgement is coming to the House of Israel. The House of Israel has been a major problem for the rest of YHWH’s people.

2 The revolters are deeply involved in slaughter, Though I rebuke them all.

The rebellious people of the House of Israel continually murder others, even with the rebuke of YHWH. One of the specific issues includes they are sacrificing their children to Molech.

1 Kings 11:7-13

Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.”

Leviticus 18:21

And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

Here we can see what the whole kingdom of Israel were doing and we can see the prophecy YHWH gave to them all. Israel was killing their children and YHWH didn’t like it. He split the kingdom into two because of this. Unfortunately, they continued to keep up the act of sacrificing their children to Molech.

3 I know Ephraim, And Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is defiled.

Now, remember Ephraim is in reference to the House of Israel. YHWH is saying, the acts of Israel are not hidden from him. He then calls them out for their harlotry, which we know is the worship of other gods. Israel has been defiled.

4 “They do not direct their deeds Toward turning to their God, For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, And they do not know the Lord.

The deeds of Israel were not aimed at coming back to YHWH, they allowed the spirit of adultery to take over their minds and they no longer knew YHWH.

5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them.

Israel became proud, and puffed up. Now, both the House of Israel and the House of Judah stumbles with their sin.

6 “With their flocks and herds They shall go to seek the Lord, But they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.

After their divorce and having been scattered, they will seek YHWH, but will not find Him because it is an abomination to take back a divorced wife. He has hid Himself from the Northern kingdom of the House of Israel .

7 They have dealt treacherously with the Lord, For they have begotten pagan children. Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage.

Israel has been extremely unfaithful to YHWH. They have intermarried with the pagans and birthed pagan children. Because of this, at the appointed time, they will be burned up and all their land.

8 “Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah, The trumpet in Ramah! Cry aloud at Beth Aven, ‘Look behind you, O Benjamin!’

We know that during the appointed time of the Feast of Trumpets they blow the trumpets at the new moon. YHWH then says look behind you, O Benjamin. Benjamin is part of the House of Judah.

Psalm 81:3-4

Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, A law of the God of Jacob.

With all that being said, it seems as if the heritage of the pagan children, meaning those who continue to keep these traditions will be killed in the last days. YHWH said there is the feast of Tabernacles, then ten days later, the feast of Atonement. The feast of Atonement is where certain people are cut off from the rest of YHWH’s people.

9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke; Among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure.

The House of Israel will be deserted in the day of reproof. YHWH has made known everything that can be trusted. This is all 12 tribes of Israel. What was given to all 12 tribes? Of course it was His Tanakh, the law, writings, and prophets.

10 “The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark; I will pour out My wrath on them like water.

The rulers of the House of Judah will also have the wrath of YHWH poured on them.

11 Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, Because he willingly walked by human precept.

The House of Israel is oppressed and broken because they chose to live contradictory to YHWH’s Law.

12 Therefore I will be to Ephraim like a moth, And to the house of Judah like rottenness.

Both houses will face YHWH.

13 “When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah saw his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb; Yet he cannot cure you, Nor heal you of your wound.

The House of Israel went to Assyria tried to find help, but could not.

14 For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue.

YHWH prophecies to tear away both houses to where no one can rescue them.

15 I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

They will be removed from Him, and He will return to His throne until they realize what they have done. It wont be until this time when they will truly turn back to YHWH.

Hosea Chapter 4 Breakdown

1 Hear the word of the Lord, You children of Israel, For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.

Hosea pleads with the house of Israel to obey the word of YHWH. He does this because YHWH has a case or dispute against them. They are breaking their end of the covenant they agreed to. He then says there is no faithfulness, or truth, no goodness or faithfulness, nor knowledge of YHWH in this land.

2 By swearing and lying, Killing and stealing and committing adultery, They break all restraint, With bloodshed upon bloodshed.

The House of Israel were casting curses, and deceiving each other, stealing and committing adultery. They are breaching the covenant with the shedding of blood. These are major accusations against the House of Israel.

3 Therefore the land will mourn; And everyone who dwells there will waste away With the beasts of the field And the birds of the air; Even the fish of the sea will be taken away.

It is because of all this sin the whole land mourns, including all the animals, birds, and fish.

4 “Now let no man contend, or rebuke another; For your people are like those who contend with the priest.

No man in this land should quarrel with one another nor correct anyone. These people quarrel with the high priests.

5 Therefore you shall stumble in the day; The prophet also shall stumble with you in the night; And I will destroy your mother.

It is because of this the House of Israel will be overthrown. The prophet will fall as well. YHWH will also destroy the mother of the House of Israel.

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

YHWH says His people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. He directly links knowledge with His given Law. They have rejected His Law. Because of that they are not allowed to become a priest to YHWH. This is very interesting when you study out the similarities between the priests and the Bride of Christ. Because Israel forgot the Law of YHWH, YHWH will forget their children.

7 “The more they increased, The more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.

As the house of Israel grew in population, they broke YHWH’s Law more and more. Because of this, YHWH will cause them to feel shame because of this, instead of glory.

8 They eat up the sin of My people; They set their heart on their iniquity.

Sin consumes His people. The House of Israel set goal that require sinful behavior. I believe this is happening again in our world today.

9 And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, And reward them for their deeds.

YHWH will punish the people for their iniquity in order to turn them back from their evil ways.

10 For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying the Lord. “Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart.

Israel will have food, but never be satisfied. They will continue to worship other gods, but never get anywhere. Due to their choosing of sin, their hearts will be focused on fornication, wine and fresh wine.

12 My people ask counsel from their wooden idols, And their staff informs them. For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray, And they have played the harlot against their God.

The House of Israel request council from idols and allow wands declare information to them. The spirit of fornication has caused them to depart from the word of YHWH. They have committed adultery against YHWH.

13 They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops, And burn incense on the hills, Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, Because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters commit harlotry, And your brides commit adultery.

The House of Israel is offering sacrifices to other gods on the tops of mountains. They would burn incense in different areas to other gods. Because of this, YHWH says their daughters will be whores, and their wives will sleep with other men. This is another thing we see much of here in modernity.

14 “I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry, Nor your brides when they commit adultery; For the men themselves go apart with harlots, And offer sacrifices with a ritual harlot. Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled.

Deuteronomy 23:18

You shall not bring the wages of a harlot or the price of a dog to the house of the Lord your God for any vowed offering, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God.

There is no reason to think YHWH says He will not punish the daughters or brides for their sin according to the original Hebrew used as well as what is being drawn from in Deuteronomy. Therefore, YHWH will punish your wives and daughters for their fornication, because even the men run out to find temple prostitutes of the false gods. Because the House of Israel has taught in ignorance sinful deeds.

15 “Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Let not Judah offend. Do not come up to Gilgal, Nor go up to Beth Aven, Nor swear an oath, saying, ‘As the Lord lives’— “For Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn calf; Now the Lord will let them forage Like a lamb in open country.

Even if the House of Israel plays the harlot, Judah shall not offend. Israel should not go up to Gilgal, or Beth Aven, nor should they swear oaths using the name of YHWH. Israel is stubborn and they are banished to feed themselves in the other nations of the world.

17 “Ephraim is joined to idols, Let him alone.

Ephraim, which is another name for the House of Israel, has joined himself to idols. Judah should leave him alone. This is why the Jews during the time of Christ disassociated themselves from the gentiles. Unfortunately, they took it too far and invented oral laws to exclude all gentiles from coming to YHWH unless they converted to Judaism.

18 Their drink is rebellion, They commit harlotry continually. Her rulers dearly love dishonor.

Israel’s wine is sour and they continually worship other gods. The House of Israel’s priests love dishonor.

19 The wind has wrapped her up in its wings, And they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

Israel has been wrapped up in the wings of the wind. Their sacrifices will cause them shame.