Hosea 4
With this chapter we enter upon the second and larger part of Hosea’s prophecy, containing a series of addresses to Israel in regard to their sins, written with the pen of the Holy Spirit.
The first word of our chapter is “Hear” — “Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel.” It is God who speaks from the pages of the Bible. Who will give attention to what He says? Luke 11:28, John 5:24; Matthew 7:24, 25, 1 Thess. 2:13 among many passages, testify to the value of hearing His word.
God had a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, and the ground of it is plainly told in verses 1 and 2. Since Hosea’s day, the controversy has become much more weighty; man in all his sins now stands exposed before God. (Romans 1:18-3:20). And the Son of God has come into the world, has been rejected and slain. Now the heart of a Saviour God is revealed. (John 3:14-18). Yet men do not believe.
It is in the New Testament that God makes known how He can save the lost, but lie was delivering souls from the power of Satan, making them His own, all through Old Testament days. Was there an ear to hear, or an eye that looked to Him? Then did He bless with salvation, for faith has ever been acceptable with God, and without it, it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6).
When God is given up, and false gods take His place in the heart (for everyone has an object or objects for which he lives), there is moral decline also, though it may be covered up for the good opinion of one’s fellows. Apparently there was not much attempt to hide their evil ways when Hosea gave his testimony.
And what of this day, reader? With an open Bible, and the preaching of the gospel, has the world now a different character than it had in Hosea’s day?
Because of the unjudged evil in Israel, the land, the beasts, the birds, and even the fishes, were to be affected (verse 3). It was by man that sin came into the world, and the whole creation has suffered by reason of it. Prophets, priests and people were all guilty; none need accuse another (verses 4, 5).
Verses 6-11: Israel had stood in a priestly character before God, but should do so no longer; a holy God cannot go on with a people whose heart is set on sin. Idolatry had taken hold upon them, and in its train came immorality (verses 12-14).
Verses 15-18 distinguish between the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom, and the two tribes which clung to David’s line. Israel was about to be removed into captivity; let not Judah trespass! Gilgal, the starting point from which the land was taken by Joshua, had altogether lost its character, and instead of Beth-el (house of God) we read of nearby Bethaven (house of idols, or house of iniquity). Ephraim (Israel—the 10 tribes) was joined to idols; let him alone! Solemn decision, but fully called for.
The end of verse 18 has been translated, “her great men passionately love their shame.” (N. T.)
ML 10/11/1936