Hosea 4 - The LORD's case against Israel

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  BLESSED!

  Hosea 4 is where the message to the people, delivered by Hosea from God is strong, very strong.  Possibly the same word that our preachers and politicians need to hear as well. (Talking about the 'good feeling' preachers teaching not salvation, but that only good things for God's people). 

    God brings a charge of disobedience against Israel.  The religious leaders had failed to turn the people to God, and ritual prostitution had replaced right worship.  The nation was failing both spiritually and morally, breaking the laws that God had given them.

   The people were quick to condemn Hosea's wife, Gomer; but, they failed to see that they had been just as unfaithful to God.  As you read note that God explains the reasons for Israel's suffering.  It speaks of violence everywhere - murder.  Blaming others for your circumstances instead of maning up and taking the responsibility.  This is speaking of the priests who would point out others sins, yet had a blind eye to their sins.

   Verse 4 Hosea points his finger directly at the priests, holding them directly accountable.This goes on through verse 9.  How did this come about?

  Jeroboam 1 rebelled against Solomon's son Rehoboam and set up a rival kingdom in the north, AND, he set up his own religious system (1 Kings 12:25-33).  In violation of God's law he made two gold calves and told the people to worship them.

   Then, he appointed his own priests who were not descendants of Aaron.  The people of the northern kingdom continued to worship God, doing it in the wrong way and, soon-very soon- then they also began to worship Canaanite gods.  It did not take long until they had switched Baal for God and no longer worshiped God at all.

  In verses 6-9 God accuses the religious leaders of keeping the people from knowing him.  In lieu of spiritual leaders for God, they were the gang leaders of wrong doing.  As the people observed the priests and what they did, they probably thought if it is okay for the priest it is okay for us.  Hmmm! Think about this:  YOU MAY BE THE ONLY BIBLE OTHERS SEE!!  So, how is your image?

  Here are the verses 1-9 of Hosea  4 Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. ² By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
³ Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
⁴ Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.
⁵ Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.
⁶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
⁷ As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.
⁸ They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
⁹ And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
   Thank you for reading today.  Tomorrow we will continue with verse 10 and travel through verse 14 - foolishness of false gods.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny