“ Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel, For the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no faithfulness or kindness Or knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, And everyone who lives in it languishes along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky, And also the fish of the sea disappear. “ —- Hosea 4:1-3
Hosea — IV
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We are in the middle of the days of Sukkot. A time when the harvest is done, the labors finished… a time of rejoicing and remembrance of deliverance, and the recollection of the TERRESTRIAL presence of the LORD, who caused His people to live in temporary tents during their journey to the Promised Land. A time for celebration, and feasting, and wine !
In that context, our text this week may appear to be a huge downer, but it is just as relevant to the present time, as it was, when spoken against Israel so long ago.
Indictments are very much in the news today , and the book of Hosea is a formal indictment, make no mistake. In the news also , is violence and war, and environmental damage and climate change. “Because there is no —-faithfulness or —-kindness Or —-knowledge of God in the land.”
Do you see any kindness in the polemics or conduct from the extremists of any color/stripe of the political & social spectrum. Do you see faithfulness to the ideals, that stem from the character and personality of the Almighty? You know the answer…..
The result…. ? We are LANGUISHING!!! Markets are down, layoffs are up, animals and species disappearing, fish and birds choking on oil and plastic. The land itself mourns and rebels against us!
Hosea 4:3–5 (NASB95): “Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof; For your people are like those who contend with the priest.”
Yes, let’s not offend anyone. Let’s not trigger anyone by pointing this out. For people will say the the Word is what is faulty, not them! …. and so …. such people WILL stumble by day and night!
Hosea 4:5–12 (NASB95): “ So you will stumble by day, And the prophet also will stumble with you by night; And I will destroy your mother.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest.
Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.
They feed on the sin of My people And direct their desire toward their iniquity. And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds.
They will eat, but not have enough; They will play the harlot, but not increase, Because they have stopped giving heed to the Lord.
Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding. My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them; For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, And they have played the harlot, departing from their God. “
The illness is spiritual… a lack of knowledge is the fertile ground in which the enemy sows his tares of destruction, ignorant people, like sheep, are easily led astray!!
“Hosea 4:13–14 (NASB95): “ They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains And burn incense on the hills, Under oak, poplar and terebinth, Because their shade is pleasant. —-Therefore—- your daughters play the harlot And your brides commit adultery.
I will —-not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your brides when they commit adultery, ——For the men themselves ——- go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes; So the people without understanding are —-ruined. “
What a state of affairs! The MEN are so bad in the LORDS sight, that He says I will NOT punish your daughters and brides, for you are WORSE than them and responsible for their corruption.
The corruption also spreads, and Israel is warned that they are to not infect others….
Hosea 4:15–19 (NASB95): Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to Gilgal, Or go up to Beth-aven And take the oath: “As the Lord lives!” Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can the Lord now pasture them Like a lamb in a large field? ——Ephraim is joined to idols; Let him alone. ——“
Isolation and quarantine. For a patient that is almost beyond saving, and who must suffer the consequences of his choices.
Hosea 18-19 (NASB95): “ Their liquor gone, They play the harlot continually; Their rulers dearly love shame. The wind wraps them in its wings, And they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices. “
What a revelation of the heart of a culture, laid open to the inspection of a Holy God!
Yet, in this same indictment, we hear hopes that the treatment will be successful…
Hosea 5:11–6:3 (NASB95):
“Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, Because he was determined to follow man’s command. Therefore I am like a moth to Ephraim And like rottenness to the house of Judah.
When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb. But he is unable to heal you, Or to cure you of your wound.
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver. I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.
Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
Hallelujah!!