The Day of Rebuke
October 25, 2019
Commentary
In this chapter God’s judgment results in three things:
1. Rebuke (vv. 1-7). This is addressed to the religious leaders, the nation in general and the royalty. It is especially directed to the religious and governmental leaders, who have been leading the nation into its sin (v. l). The nation has been wholly given over to idolatry. Though they may try to hide their true condition, God sees them for what they are, wholly given over to idolatry (v. 3). When they do come to the end of themselves and finally seek God with their sacrifices and religious formality, they are not able to find Him because in judgement He hath withdrawn Himself from them (vv. 6-7).
2. Retribution (vv. 8-14). God’s retribution must fall. The judgement heaped upon the north will be so severe that it will even endanger the tribes in the south (v. 8). Because of their willful forsaking of God and wholesale turning to idols things will not get better for them. When both the northern and southern kingdoms saw their sad condition, they realized that they needed help but went to the wrong source to get it. Instead of going to God they went to the king of Assyria, who was powerful in man’s sight but was totally helpless before God (v. l3).
3. Repentance (v. 15). Into this dark picture of retribution was one ray of hope. He has withdrawn from His people for the purpose of causing them to seek Him. So just as certainly as the judgement has fallen so certainly will come their repentance.
Application
I do not want to be tempted to argue with God over disappointments. His judgment is final. This means that I do not need to bring it up again.
Hosea 5:1– 15 (NET)
1 Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, you Israelites! Listen closely, O king! For judgment is about to overtake you. For you were like a trap to Mizpah, like a net spread out to catch Tabor.
2 Those who revolt are knee-deep in slaughter, but I will discipline them all.
3 I know Ephraim all too well; the evil of Israel is not hidden from me. For you have engaged in prostitution, O Ephraim; Israel has defiled itself.
4 Their wicked deeds do not allow them to return to their God; for a spirit of idolatry is in them, and they do not acknowledge the Lord.
5 The arrogance of Israel testifies against it; Israel and Ephraim will be overthrown because of their iniquity. Even Judah will be brought down with them.
6 Although they bring their flocks and herds to seek the favor of the Lord, They will not find him— he has withdrawn himself from them!
7 They have committed treason against the Lord, because they bore illegitimate children. Soon the new moon festival will devour them and their fields.
8 Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah! Sound the trumpet in Ramah! Sound the alarm in Beth Aven; tremble in fear, O Benjamin!
9 Ephraim will be ruined in the day of judgment. What I am declaring to the tribes of Israel will certainly take place!
10 The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers. I will pour out my rage on them like a torrential flood.
11 Ephraim will be oppressed, crushed under judgment, because he was determined to pursue worthless idols.
12 I will be like a moth to Ephraim, like wood rot to the house of Judah.
13 When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah saw his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and begged its great king for help. But he will not be able to heal you. He cannot cure your wound!
14 I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear them to pieces, then I will carry them off, and no one will be able to rescue them!
15 Then I will return again to my lair until they have suffered their punishment. Then they will seek me; in their distress they will earnestly seek me.
Illustration: Umpire called Babe Ruth out on strikes
An umpire named Babe Pinelli once called Babe Ruth out on strikes. When the crowd booed with sharp disapproval at the call, the legendary Ruth turned to the umpire with disdain and said, “There’s 40,000 people here who know that the last pitch was a ball.” Suspecting that the umpire would erupt with anger, the coaches and players braced themselves for Ruth’s ejection. However, the cool headed Pinelli replied, “Maybe so, Babe, but mine is the only opinion that counts.” Believers need to realize that God’s judgment is the only one that counts and resist the temptation to argue over disappointments. (Contributed by: Paul Fritz in Sermon Central)