Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. Israel is an empty vine - Or, a vine that casteth its grapes.
He bringeth forth fruit - Or, he laid up fruit for himself. He abused the blessings of God to the purposes of idolatry. He was prosperous; but his prosperity corrupted his heart.
According to the multitude of his fruit - He became idolatrous in proportion to his prosperity; and in proportion to their wealth was the costliness of their images, and the expensiveness of their idol worship.
True is the homely saying of old Quarles: -
"So God's best gifts, usurp'd by wicked ones,
To poison turn, by their con-ta-gi-ons."
Another poet, of a higher order, but worse school, says: -
Effodiuntur opes, irritamenta malorum.
Ovid.
Of which the words of St. Paul are nearly a literal rendering: -
Ῥιζα γαρ πανθων των κακων εστιν ἡ θιλαργυρια.
"For the love of money is the root of all these evils"