Hosea 4

This chapter begins, in effect, the “preaching” part of the book. The prophets, of course, would publicly proclaim their message, and then write down the gist of what they said. Hosea 4:1 establishes the major problem in Israel: “There is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.” And verse 2 tells us of the unsurprising result: “There is nought but swearing and breaking faith, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery; they break out, and blood toucheth blood.” When a country has no truth, goodness, or knowledge of God, there will always follow, as a result, swearing, lying, killing, stealing, committing adultery, and just about every other vice the baser elements of humanity can concoct. Can we not see modern America in this? The message of the prophets reads almost like a modern newspaper.

And the end result will always be as related (symbollically) in verse 3: “Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.” Punishment is assured.

Verse 6 is perhaps the most famous verse in Hosea, and re-tells the scandal and result: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Again, lack of knowledge of God’s word brings sure judgment and punishment from God.

Hosea 4 is very descriptive. The more the population grew, the more sin was produced (v. 7). The “set their heart” on their iniquities; they loved to sin and were determined to do it (v. 8). Many of the religious leaders even led the way: “like people, like priest,” (v. 9). But, God said, “I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds” (v. 9). Instead of praying to God, “My people ask counsel from their wooden idols” (v. 12). How dumb can people get? They have the great God of heaven and earth for their Protector and Provider, yet they go and ask a piece of wood for advice. Verse 13 says “They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, because their shade is good.” This was a practice Israel borrowed from the pagan peoples of Canaan—building altars on mountaintops and under trees. So instead of sacrificing to God in Jerusalem as they ought, they were sacrificing to idols on mountaintops and in groves. Jehovah tells them He’s not even going to chastise them any more: “I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry,” (v. 14). Why bother? It hadn’t done any good. What a sad condition the northern kingdom had gotten into.

While Hosea, later in his book, will also castigate Judah, apparently chapter 4 was written (preached) early in his ministry because he tries to warn the southern kingdom from following her northern brothers: “Though you, Israel, play the harlot, let not Judah offend” (v. 15). “Ephraim [the northern kingdom of Israel] is joined to idols, let him alone” (v. 17). And a good idea it was because “the LORD will let them forage like a lamb in open country” (v. 16). What do you think is going to happen to a lamb all by itself in open country? Israel’s condition was tragic—but inexcusable. “Their drink is rebellion, they commit harlotry continually. Her rulers dearly love dishonor” (v. 18). Notice that the "rulers" of the people were heavily involved in all of this.  Good leadership is essential, but almost always lacking when a people degenerate into sin.  Where are America's leaders taking our country today?  But, for Israel, eventually, “they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices” (v. 19).  It will be too late then.