Hosea
4 reminds me of what happens to individuals, families and even
neighborhoods when wisdom goes missing. Sociologists and politicians
point to lack of funding, or discrimination to explain the problems
found in many inner cities today. In truth, there is a greater
correlation between intact, two-parent families than race with
virtually every form of urban blight. We hear the phrase “two
Americas” and many think of wealth, but today’s chapter describes
a nation divided after one half rejected God’s wisdom. The
Northern nation, called Israel, had compromised God’s standards and
fallen into depravity, while the Southern nation, called Judah, was
struggling to continue to honor God. The chapter begins, “Hear
the word of the Lord, you Israelites…
the Lord has a charge to bring
against you“. Please hear how
God links together cause and effect. “There
is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.
There is only cursing, lying
and murder, stealing and adultery“.
He adds a description of the worst sections of every city,
“bloodshed follows bloodshed“.
For those willing to listen, God identifies the root cause, “My
people are destroyed from lack of knowledge“.
Knowledge of God’s laws, promises and prohibitions yields hope and
renewal. He says to the corrupt leaders, “because
you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your
children“. Have you been
ignoring God’s laws?
Each
individual has a choice, but God holds the religious leaders
accountable. “Because you have
rejected knowledge, I also reject you as My priests“.
Specifically Jewish priests had to be men over 35 years old. He says
of these men, “they exchanged
their glorious God for something disgraceful“.
And what happened to their families? “They
have deserted the Lord
to give themselves to
prostitution; old wine and new wine take away their understanding…
they are unfaithful to their God“.
Both sons and daughters need a father that is faithful.
Recall that the decline of Israel began
when they set up an alternative to the Temple in Jerusalem. God said
there was one and only one place to receive atonement, but the people
of Israel replaced God’s commandments. “They
sacrifice on the mountaintops and
burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar… where the shade is
pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your
daughters-in-law to adultery“.
Yes, He is saying a father that is unfaithful will become an example
for his children. A generation of unfaithfulness will produce a
culture of unfaithfulness, “a
people without understanding will come to ruin!”
The chapter ends with a warning to both halves of the nation.
“Though you, Israel, commit
adultery, do not let Judah become guilty“.
The corrupted should still protect the uncorrupted, just as big
brother should not corrupt little brother. To the southern nation of
Judah, He warns, “Ephraim is
joined to idols; leave him alone!”
Much like a mother warning a child about a bad influence, Ephraim is
the nearest neighbor in the ravaged nation, “Even
when their drinks are gone, they continue… their rulers dearly love
shameful ways“. Friend, are
you ready for renewal? Do not look to politicians, look to God’s
wisdom! “The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and
instruction“
(Proverbs 1:7). There is one
place for the nation heal, “There
is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male
and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”
(Galatians 3:28).