Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

God had made Hosea to understand His heart in a way no one else did. This was the basis of Hosea’s cry to the nation of Israel and Judah. The sins they had engaged in, the spiritual adultery, covered the entire Land from north to south and judgment was heading their way. Not for no reason, but because their rebellion against God was so ingrained. They could not hide this sin from God. He could see them and the demonic influence inside their hearts. They could not even see the need for Him. They would stumble under the weight of their pride. When it comes upon them, THEN they will look, but the Lord has turned His back and they will not find Him. Their destruction would come within a month (it did – 2 Kings 15:17-20). Even the strongest tribe would come under the judgment and be desolate. They willingly went after man’s wisdom and rejected God’s wisdom. No one would be able to rescue them.

Hosea called for them to repent. To turn back. To let the Lord heal them. To let the Lord rescue them BEFORE the judgment came. To pursue the Lord’s knowledge. To look to Him like the ground looks for rain. But the Lord added His lament that the people were like dew. A vaporous cloud that dissipated when the sun rose. Therefore, the Lord had spoken against the adulterous people. He had spoken through His prophets and informed them of both the need to repent AND the consequences for refusing. He didn’t want them going through the motions. He didn’t care about the sacrifices. He cared about their hearts. He wanted to show them mercy, not make an example of them for the rest of His children. But they were treacherous with Him. They broke the Covenant they had made. He has seen a terrible thing. He has seen the defilement of Israel. And Judah too would have a judgment if they did not repent.

When He sought to heal them, their iniquity was exposed. Their wickedness came out. They committed fraud against Him. They don’t even remember that HE remembers everything that is in their hearts. Their leaders join them and enjoy the wickedness. All of them – from king to prince to priest to layman – are adulterers. They have mixed with other nations. They have prepared their pride and baked their judgment. Now they will eat it. They have called to everyone around them like a dove with no mate. They will be chastised according to what God has heard. They have FLED from Him, and God was crying for them. For what would come upon them. For the curse they are embracing as they rebel against Him. He had disciplined them, but they were STILL rebellious. They had learned nothing. Instead, they returned to their idols and did it again.

Judgment would come like an eagle from the north (Nebuchadnezzar). Then the people would cry – just like He said they would – and claim to know Him. But Israel had rejected the good. Their enemies WOULD pursue them. They did their own thing. Make their own choices. Took their own routes. Make their own morality. And followed their own gods. ALL of it without ANY consultation of God. They sowed the wind and would reap the whirlwind. Their idols would be broken. They would be swallowed up. Israel had forgotten their Maker but built fortified cities instead. The Lord would devour them.

“Do not rejoice, O Israel, do not exult like the nations! For you played the whore, departing from your God; you loved a harlot’s wage on all the threshing floors of grain.” (Hosea 9:1)

They would not dwell in the Land. Some would flee to Egypt, the rest would be taken to Assyria. They would eat unclean things and no longer offer sacrifices. They would be gathered up and buried. Because of the greatness of their iniquity and enmity toward God. The false prophets were deeply corrupted and would bear their iniquity. They would be punished for their sin. The nation would be bereaved to the last man. A vine of grapes that had spoiled. Because of their evil deeds they would be driven out. Because of their disobedience they would be cast out to wander among the nations.

Summary

Key Players: God, Hosea

Key Verse(s): Hosea 5:1-7; 6:1-3; 7:3-10; 8:1-10; 9:1-4, 15-17