Here are our last thoughts on the prophet Hosea and his message to Israel. Israel had given herself to Baal worship in addition to Jehovah God. Of course, if God does not have the unique (only) place in our hearts, He has no place in our hearts. Not only will He not take second place, He will not share a place in our ultimate allegiance. Israel was needing to learn that lesson and Hosea, among others, was teaching that to them.
“Through Baal, Israel did wrong and died” (13:1). Baal was the god of fertility but he brought death to Israel. They sinned “more and more” through their molten images, idols, and calves (13:2). They will pass away as quickly as the morning dew (vs 3). God had been their God since they came out of Egypt (vs 4-5). But, once they were blessed, they turned their hearts away from God (vs 6). God will be “like” various beasts and rip them to shreds (vs 7-8). It is interesting that these beasts are the same beasts used by Daniel (cpt 7) to symbolize the Babylonian, Persian, and Greek Empires.
Besides God, Israel has no leadership (vs 9-11). Israel has acted as a foolish son (vs 12-13). Death is composed of thorns and Sheol stings (vs 14; cf Paul’s use of this verse in 1 Cor. 15:55). Only God can save from death and sheol. God will dry up their harvests because Samaria is guilty of sin (vs 15-16).
Chapter 14 begins with Hosea’s call for Israel to “return” to the Lord (14:1). Hosea calls on Israel to come to God with words of repentance, asking for forgiveness (14:2). They need to recognize that Assyria cannot save them so they need to quit worshiping the gods of the Assyrians or anyone else (vs 3).
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God will heal them of their apostasy; He loves them freely (vs 4). In imagery appropriate to an agricultural society, God will bless Israel again (vs 5-7). In the only passage that likens God to a tree, in verse 8, God says He’ll be a “luxuriant cypress” for Israel, providing fruit for them.
Those who are “wise” can understand Hosea’s message (vs 9). If he is “discerning,” he will know what God desires from him. The ways of the Lord are right and those who are righteous will walk in His ways. But the way of the transgressor is hard (cf Prov. 13:15).
Hosea’s message still has relevance to our generation doesn’t it?
Paul Holland
