Hosea 9:1-17

Ephraim (Israel) believed themselves invincible. They regarded the prophets of God as fools and madmen. They had deceived themselves into believing that they were accepted of Jehovah, but God regarded their offerings as unclean. Their feasts and fasts were to no avail. God was through with them. The fruitful branch was dried up and barren fit only to be cast away.