Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will break down their altars, and destroy their pillars. (Hosea 10: 1-2)

The prior chapter's symbols of stark infertility are replaced with one of fertile promiscuity. But calling the vine luxuriant is an odd choice. The Hebrew is baqaq. This suggests wasting or destroying.

Hosea perceives that Israel is like kudzu. The more it spreads, the more it covers, darkens, and kills. Think of the great columns of kudzu as you approach Atlanta. Wherever the vine of Israel reaches it throws up pillars and altars to false gods.

For Hosea the principal threat seems to have been Phoenician, specifically Tyrenian, religion. The holy trinity for Tyre consisted of El, protector of the universe (also called Baal), the son of El was Melqart who was the bringer of life and seasons, and Astarte, called Ashotoreth in the Bible, was the goddess of earth, home, and children.

From Gilgal until Hosea the people of Israel had worshiped both Yahweh and El. Hosea is sure this is nothing but idolatry, illusion, and betrayal of the true God. The heart of Israel is chalaq. This is translated above as false, even better is divided.

Hosea, and Jesus, and most of the great philosophers and prophets perceive distraction as the great enemy. Find what is real, focus on what is real, embrace what is real. We are to worship - give value - to what is real. The illusions of hope or worry are unhelpful or much worse.