Friday 01 February 2013

Background

Hosea continues to announce God's judgement against the northernkingdom of Israel (Ephraim) - a judgement based on their idolatryand refusal to listen to the one true God. 

The passage begins with an account of the Lord's electionof Israel. God found Israel "like grapes in the wilderness" andlike the "first fruit on the fig tree" (v. 10), metaphors thatrecall God's choice of Israel from among the nations. The prophet,however, quickly turns to Israel's idolatry at Baal Peor (Numbers 25:1-5). There, Israel made idols andso turned away from the God who had led them through thewilderness. The idolatry of Hosea's contemporaries had itsprecedents in history. 

Given such idolatry, harsh consequences are to follow forthe people of Israel. The glory - and reputation - of Israel willbe no more as they are exiled to Assyria (verse 11). Children willbe slaughtered (verse 13), and the people of God will become"wanderers among the nations" (v. 17). This is a difficult andpainful prophecy.

The wicked leaders are partly to blame, with Gilgal (verse15) representing the place where kingship was first inaugurated (1Samuel 11:14-15). "All their officials are rebels" (v. 15) theprophet claims, reflecting the succession of scheming andidolatrous kings at this stage in Israel's history.

In light of the unfaithfulness of Israel, God will rejectthe nation (verse 17). We know from Hosea's later chapters,however, that such rejection is not the final word, and that Godwill "heal their disloyalty" and "love them freely" (Hosea14:4).

To Ponder

• What role do you think leaders have in helping the Churchremain faithful?

• Does God still judge nations today? If so, how?