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):
V. 1…the knowledge of God…This ‘knowledge’ refers to intimate fellowship with Him rather than to an understanding of who He is. They have rejected relationship with God, and this will eventually destroy them (v. 6).
Vs. 1 & 2…Charge against… This is a legal term, a lawsuit language. God is framing Charges against Israelites. Though it is not necessary, God takes time to let the people know that HE is not at fault in judging the Nation of Israel
There are 2 Major Charges:
1. They lacked the basic ethical elements necessary for a society …no truth or mercy…(v.1).
2. They broke the commandments of the LORD, particularly the 10 commandments. They are, swearing and lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery (v.2).
V. 3…land will mourn…everyone…will waste away… Man’s sin is detrimental effect on his environment (Rom. 8:20-22).
V. 4…let no man contend, or rebuke another… Accusing each other should be avoided because all are guilty. It is in desperate condition man choose to accuse other for their own mistakes which bring punishment.
V. 5…prophet also shall stumble… This refers to the false prophets, the companions of the priests (v.4). Together the priests and the prophets were leading the people away from God. Again ‘mother’ refers to the nation of Israel.
God’s judgments against the sins of the priests. (6-10):
V. 6…My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… ‘My people’ refer to the people of Israel. It is the responsibility of the priests to teach the people in the Law of God (Lev. 10:11; Mal 2:6&7). God is blaming the priest for such lack of knowledge of God in people. At the same time people can’t take it as an excuse because they are warned through prophets of the LORD not to follow the corrupt priests and false prophets.
…I also will reject you… God is rejection is birthed in the ‘rejection by the priests.’
…I also will forget your children… It may seem harsh. But the matter is when the priests forget what is most dear to God, HE will forget what is most dear to them, their children. In fact, the children have not been taught in the law of God by their fathers. We should always remember that anyone who seeks the LORD and start reading and following the Law of God would be spared from such judgement. The priests have still time to repent and remember the Law of God.
V. 7…change their glory into shame… The office of the Prophet, which was intended as one of high honor, has been used in disgraceful ways. So, God will turn all the glory they were receiving from the people into a shameful one.
V. 8…They eat up the sin of my people… Sin may mean ‘sin offering.’ More they are ignorant of the Law, the more they sin. More they sin, more they bring as sin offering. More the priests get the offering from people, they get more to eat.
V. 9…I will punish them… They can’t escape punishment.
V. 10…They shall eat, but not have enough… Anything sin brings will not satisfy us, particularly no satisfaction in our souls.
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.