Today we are going to be touching on Hosea 4-10 and 12-13. The overarching theme in these chapters is that Israel is playing the harlot. Israel is God’s adulterous wife, as Gomer was Hosea’s. Israel (and Ephraim) are continually turning away from God and sinning, and sinning rather atrociously.
Israel is described as having no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land (4:1). It is also said of Israel that there is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery, and that bloodshed follows bloodshed (4:2). This all comes just in the first two verses of chapter 4. Hosea 4:7 says, “The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.” We are introduced to Israel’s sins and faithlessness against God, and now we see there will be a price to pay. I think it is important here to remember that sin does not go unpunished. Israel is going to have grave consequences due to their actions. Hosea 5:6 states, “They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.”
In these chapters we see that God is going to punish Israel for their sins. God is holy and just, and must deal with sin. When we read about the unfaithfulness (the harlotry) of Israel, I believe we should take a step back and evaluate our lives, and the life of the church. Is there any grave sin plaguing your life? Is there a grave sin you see plaguing the church. Nothing is hidden from God, so if there is sin in your life, don’t despair, but instead repent. For as we know from Exodus 34:6-7, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” The same can be said for the church, so let us keep a watchful eye out for not only our personal sin, but also that of the church. When we do recognize sin in these place, and in our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, let us call it what is it, SIN (which leads to death and destruction) and seek repentance.
Next week we will look at chapters 11 and 14, which are much more hopeful, but until then let us dig deep into our own lives and seek God in all areas and repent of our sins. We all play the harlot sometimes, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but do not make it an excuse to stay stuck in sin. Stay diligent and in God’s word, and continually be thankful that God is compassionate and gracious!
Thanks for reading,
Pastor Josh