General Charles M. Duke was a former astronaut who went
on the Apollo 16 mission to the moon. I asked, “Once you
were there, weren’t you free to make your own decisions
and carry out your ... More
Obedience
God brings a charge of disobedience against Israel (v. l). The religious leader had replaced true worship with ritual prostitution. The nation had gone downhill spiritually and morally, breaking God’s laws. The people were quick to condemn Hosea’s wife for her adultery but slow to see their own unfaithfulness. Even murder was being taken casually in Israel (v. 2). Israel’s lawless behavior had brought judgement upon them in the form of increased violence and an ecological crisis. Israel’s priests were quick to point out the people’s sin, but God would not allow them to overlook their own sinful actions. Instead of instructing the nation in religion and morality, they were leading them toward idolatry and immorality. Every time a person brought a sin offering, the priest received a portion of it. The more the people sinned the more the priest received (v. 7). Therefore, instead of trying to lead the people away from sin, they encouraged sin so they would receive more.
“Whoredom and wine” (v. 11) are the sins that commonly accompany idolatry. These sins dull sensitivity and understanding. Instead of consulting the God (who made the trees), they consult the wooden idols that they made (v. 13). Their worship of the Canaanite gods (Baal and Asherah) included rituals accompanied by vile practices. Both men and women had sex with temple prostitutes and priests (v. 13). Judah was warned to avoid the sins of her sister (v. 15). God spared the Southern Kingdom 135 years longer than the Northern Kingdom, but eventually they also went the way of Israel. Israel’s problem was not a lack of knowledge but a failure to appreciate the importance of knowledge. They willingly rejected the truth and lacked obedience. The Lord allowed Israel to go her own way, and the wind (Assyria) blew them away 20 years later (v. 19).
Application
A desire to be free from all restrictions could move me completely out of God’s will. If I allow the circumstances of life to cut me off from God’s Word, I run the risk of judgement. It is better to obey God than to make a lot of sacrifices in His name.
Hosea 4:1-19 (English Standard Version)
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God Condemns Israel’s Idolatry
Hosea 4:1–19
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
General Charles M. Duke was a former astronaut who went on the Apollo 16 mission to the moon. I asked, “Once you were there, weren’t you free to make your own decisions and carry out your ... More
God brings a charge of disobedience against Israel (v. l). The religious leader had replaced true worship with ritual prostitution. The nation had gone downhill spiritually and morally, breaking God’s laws. The people were quick to condemn Hosea’s wife for her adultery but slow to see their own unfaithfulness. Even murder was being taken casually in Israel (v. 2). Israel’s lawless behavior had brought judgement upon them in the form of increased violence and an ecological crisis. Israel’s priests were quick to point out the people’s sin, but God would not allow them to overlook their own sinful actions. Instead of instructing the nation in religion and morality, they were leading them toward idolatry and immorality. Every time a person brought a sin offering, the priest received a portion of it. The more the people sinned the more the priest received (v. 7). Therefore, instead of trying to lead the people away from sin, they encouraged sin so they would receive more.
“Whoredom and wine” (v. 11) are the sins that commonly accompany idolatry. These sins dull sensitivity and understanding. Instead of consulting the God (who made the trees), they consult the wooden idols that they made (v. 13). Their worship of the Canaanite gods (Baal and Asherah) included rituals accompanied by vile practices. Both men and women had sex with temple prostitutes and priests (v. 13). Judah was warned to avoid the sins of her sister (v. 15). God spared the Southern Kingdom 135 years longer than the Northern Kingdom, but eventually they also went the way of Israel. Israel’s problem was not a lack of knowledge but a failure to appreciate the importance of knowledge. They willingly rejected the truth and lacked obedience. The Lord allowed Israel to go her own way, and the wind (Assyria) blew them away 20 years later (v. 19).
Application
A desire to be free from all restrictions could move me completely out of God’s will. If I allow the circumstances of life to cut me off from God’s Word, I run the risk of judgement. It is better to obey God than to make a lot of sacrifices in His name.
Hosea 4:1-19 (English Standard Version)
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