Hosea 10:8

Aven. Most likely this is to be understood as Beth-aven, probably Bethel (see on ch. 4:15). Some, however, take these high places of “Aven” to indicate high places “of wickedness” (the Heb. ’awen means wickedness) where unlawful sacrifices were offered to strange gods. By sacrificing to the Lord on these high places instead of in Jerusalem, the only place for religious service according to the law (see Deut. 12:1-14), the people began their departure from God. Later, because of increasing apostasy, these high places witnessed the most abominable idolatries and shamefully sinful practices (see on Hosea 4:13). Thorn. A striking picture of total desolation. Cover us. So overwhelmed will the people be with distress and dismay, that in despair and desperation they will desire prompt death. Rather than behold further such heart-rending scenes, rather than endure any longer such calamities, they prefer being buried under mountains or hills. Significantly, our Lord used similar words in predicting the miseries connected with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70 (Luke 23:30), as also did John in picturing men’s despair at the end of the world (Rev. 6:16, 17). Is it not infinitely better to pray to Jesus now to “cover” our transgressions with the blood of His atonement than through neglect of this to have to cry to the mountains and hills at last to fall on us and cover us? Our sincere prayers to Jesus now will surely be heard, but the prayers to the mountains and hills then will be in vain.