Hosea 10:11

"And Ephraim is a heifer that is taught, that loveth to tread out the grain; but I have passed over her fair neck; I will set a rider upon Ephraim; Judah shall plow, Judah shall break his clods."

"Heifer that is taught ..." This agricultural metaphor compares Ephraim to a preferred animal used to "tread out the grain," on the threshing-floor. Such animals were allowed to eat at will from the threshing-floor itself, and consequently were always well-fed, sleek, and fat. This custom of not muzzling the animals used on the threshing-floors came from the Lord's instruction in Deuteronomy 25:4, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn." The prior existence of the Pentateuch, the universal knowledge of it among the Hebrews, and the implied public knowledge which lie behind Hosea's choice of this figure should not be overlooked.

"I have passed upon her fair neck ..." The New English Bible is more understandable here, rendering the passage thus: "Across whose fair neck I have passed a yoke ..." This teaches that the preferred treatment that Israel (both Ephraim and Judah) had received from God throughout their history was about to be withdrawn. Instead of having it fat and easy on the threshing-floor, they would both be harnessed to the plow.

"Judah shall plow, Judah shall break his clods ..." The southern kingdom will not be exempt. Their gross sins, exactly like those of Ephraim will bring upon them exactly the same punitive judgment. Judah was never for a moment left very far out of sight in the stern denunciations of this prophet. Abused privilege results always in the loss of the privileges. The metaphor of Hosea's marriage with Gomer also lies very close to the surface here. She would not be a faithful wife; very well, her husband would employ her as a slave! That is exactly what happened to the ancient Israel.