We see with Hosea that there is only one way to know if we are right with God, if God is pleased with us, and that’s if we are obedient to His commands. It is just that simple. And that’s our one job: Stay faithful to Jesus Christ and obey His commandments. Let’s not mess that up!
THE “SPIRIT OF HARLOTRY” – HOSEA 5:
Israel is accused of harlotry in verse 3. This would be unfaithfulness to God but because many pagan religions included sexual activity as a part of it, this could also be physical adultery. It is so dangerous to put our confidence in man.
Pride (vs 5) was the underlying issue. Leaders think they have the wisdom and/or intelligence to set aside God’s commands and reinterpret the word of God as they deem best. When you don’t follow God, you will stumble, walking in darkness.
Israel was “determined to follow man’s command” (vs 11). But God wants Israel to repent (vs 15). It is simply dangerous to trust what man says when it leads us away from the commandments of Christ (Matt. 15:8-9).
LOYALTY VERSUS SACRIFICE – HOSEA 6:
God is frustrated at Israel and Judah’s shallow religion. In verse 4, the word translated “loyalty” is the Hebrew word chesed which is often translated “lovingkindness” or “steadfast love.” Here, God is referring to Israel’s so-called “steadfast love” and God says it lasts about as long as the morning dew! Israel would shift her loyalty faster than you could turn around.
Verse 5 pictures God’s word / mouth, in the mouth of the prophets, as a two-edged sword (Jer. 1:9-10; 5:14; 23:29; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 1:16). The heart must be in the worship and obedience (vs 6) as well as the outward actions. Jesus quotes this verse in Matt. 9:13; 12:7.
METAPHORS OF REBELLION – HOSEA 7:
They simply did not consider (vs 2) in their hearts that God would remember “all their wickedness.” If God does not rule your heart, He does not rule your actions.
As we have said before, pride is the fundamental problem (vs 10) that keeps Israel from returning to the Lord. A “silly” dove (vs 11) is a dove with no sense. Literally, the dove has no heart. Speaking lies “against God” (vs 13) likely refers to claiming divine authority for their teachings / work which was not true. They did not have “book, chapter, or verse” for their teachings and behavior.
Rather than seeking their support from God (vs 14), Israel sought “grain and new wine” from her “lovers.” Notice here that Israel did not cry to God “from their heart.” God wants our hearts first and foremost. The obedience will be there if the heart is there.
SOWING AND REAPING – HOSEA 8:
Ask viagra cialis generico your partner what is bothering him or pulling him towards stressfulness. A streamlined and centralized management process is necessary that can provide you with enhanced and real-time visibility and controls for the delivery of viagra levitra viagra optimized order fulfillment services. If your condition in serious, consult ordering levitra online an expert. Ocular surface Treatment: This is a combination of 8 potent herbal extracts such as Epimedium Leaf extract which canada generic viagra provides an aphrodisiac and it supports male power.
The “covenant” was a matter of God’s grace that called Israel to be His possession, His special people. The “law” was a direct result of that covenant, to keep Israel in a right relationship with God.
They claim to know God (vs 2); they were “Israel” after all but we have already seen that God said they did not know God (5:4; cf. Matt. 7:21-23). God rejects their efforts at being religious; it is not according to His covenant / law (vs 5). Jeroboam I set up the calf in Bethel around 931 B. C. The nation fell in 722 B. C. God let the calf sit there for over 200 years!
God will break their calf to pieces just as He did at Mount Sinai in Exodus 32 (vs 6). Of course, if you can destroy a “god,” then it is not a “god” after all. Verse 7 is a proverb and its point is reiterated several times in Scripture. Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, exact a higher price than you want to pay. Sin is no joke. There is also a play on words that is not evident in English. Israel has sown the wind (ruah) and it will reap a whirlwind (supha).
Israel had a syncretistic mentality (vs 11); they offer sacrifices to all the gods, cover all your bases. Except, all they were doing was multiplying their offense before God. Their altars backfired on them. How could Israel think God’s laws are strange (vs 12)?
God does not forget, ignore, overlook, their sin and iniquity. They will return to Egypt. Their sacrifices have the exact opposite effect. “For modern readers the lesson is that we need to beware of how easy it is to substitute culture and prevalent opinions for true Christianity. It is possible to regard true examples of Christian spirituality as alien” (Garrett).
A WITHDRAWN LOVE – HOSEA 9:
Israel thought what they were doing was going to bring prosperity and fertility. But, they will be mistaken. They will expect fertility but God will bring barrenness and that will be indicative of military defeat and exile. Additionally, Israel will not be able to offer sacrifices to God.
Verse 7 sounds like the taunts of the prophets but they have been driven crazy by the sins of their people (cf. 2 Cor. 2:15-16).
Grapes and figs (vs 10), early in the season, would be such an excitement. But Israel was a disappointment since they devoted themselves to shame. Israel had started their apostasy at Baal-Peor (Num. 25) and there were drastic measures taken at that time (25:6-9). Twenty-four thousand were killed. But Israel did not learn their lesson.
Baal worship was going to backfire on them (vs 16). There is a pun on the name “Ephraim” and “fruit.” In fact, you might remember that Joseph named his son “Ephraim” because God had made him “fruitful” in the land of his affliction (Gen. 41:52). But, because Ephraim has given itself to idolatry, God will take away her “fruit.”
Let us learn from Israel’s mistakes. Trust God; follow Him. Give our highest allegiance to the commands of Christ.
Paul Holland
