God’s accusation against Israel
Hosea chapters 4-14 are compilation of oracles of God at different times put together. These oracles are spelling out the parable with Accusations, Warnings, and Promises.
God’s judgments against the sins of the people. (1-5): God’s judgments against the sins of the priests. (6-10): Idolatry is reproved. (11-14):
Vs. 11- 14… The spiritual immorality/drunkenness of the pagan cults promoted physical immorality and drunkenness, so the text moves between spiritual, physical, and both.
V.11…enslave the heart… Immorality and drunkenness take away one’s ability to discern.
Vs.12 & 13…ask counsel from their wooden idols … Verses 12 & 13 describe the ritual violations against God’s Laws.…spirit of whoredom has led them astray… Idol worship and temple prostitution is a divine appointment for pagans. But, that creates a life-style in a person. Following a false religion is spiritual adultery which leads a person to physical adultery. When parents go astray, the children follow their path.
V. 14…I will not punish your daughters…for the men themselves go apart with harlots… ‘I will not punish your daughters’ is said to be spoken in sarcasm to bring out the sin of men. The society punishes the prostitute, and leaves the men who are involved go unpunished. So, God says that His justice will not be like their justice, but justice for all.
Judah is admonished. (15-19):
V.15a…Judah… God is admonishing Judah not to follow the sins of Israel. It can avoid Israel’s fate if she will stay close to God. God is also naming the enticement places for Judah…Gilgal… Beth-aven. These are the two probable worship centers that Judah might find enticing.
GILGAL is deceiving because….
1. They camped there first. Joshua 4:19
2. Joshua circumcised the Israelites in Jericho. Joshua 5:2-8
3. They observed the Passover there. Joshua 5:10
4. They had a spectacular victory. Joshua 6.
5. Great prophets and kings like Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, David and so on.
But God says that Jericho is no more a spiritually safe place. Hosea 9:15 & 12:11.
BETH-AVEN means HOUSE OF EVIL. God is actually talking about Bethel (House of God). It is a derogatory nick name given by God to Bethel. Bethel is an important place in the life of Israel and Judah. The experience the founder of the nation, Jacob had in Bethel is noteworthy, and Bethel can be a place of pilgrimage for them.
But God warns JUDAH not to go to those places.
V.15b…Nor swear an oath… Pagans do swear on God. But people of God are not to swear on anything.
V.16…stubborn calf…like a lamb in open country… Israelites are not listening to God, and God will let the people of Israel to get lost or fall prey to the predators in a wide and open wilderness.
V.17…Ephraim… Hosea used the name ‘Ephraim’ 35 times as a synonym for the northern kingdom of Israel.
V.18…Her rulers dearly love dishonor. The rulers are the ones supposed to protect and shield them from their shame; but they loved leaving them uncovered. Any sin will leave us in a shameful state.
V.19…The wind has wrapped her up in its wings.… Wind may mean the spirit, the spirit of whoredom. Also it can be interpreted as the power and the strength of the enemy and their sudden coming to wrap up Israel.
Hosea 5: Adultery in High Places The Divine judgments against Israel. (1-7):
V.1…Mizpah…Tabor… Mizpah and Tabor had become places of idol worship.
V.2…slaughter… This may refer to child sacrifice which is religious, or the mass murders by the rulers. Psalm 106: 36-38.
V.3…Israel is not hidden from Me… The piercing eye of God saw secret liking and disposition to sin, the love the house of Israel had to their sins, and the dominion their sins had over them. – Matthew Henry Concise Commentary.
V.4…they do now know the LORD… The Lord know Israel; but the Israel does not know the LORD.
V.5…pride… Their pride witnessed against them and condemned them. After the nation divided into two kingdoms, Israel was rather constant in its evil kings and pagan loyalties while Judah went back and forth. – The Spirit filled Bible.
Vs.6 & 7…flocks and herds… Those that go to seek the Lord with their flocks and their herds only, and not with their hearts and souls, cannot expect to find him;… – Matthew Henry Concise Commentary. …will not find the LORD… This is in reference to the worshippers not to the worship place, because God has never dwelt in the idol worship places.