God Condemns Israel’s Idolatry
August 16, 2021
Commentary
“Whoredom and wine and new wine” (v. 11) are the sins that commonly accompany idolatry. These sins dull the sensitivity and understanding so that the people no longer wish to even retain God in their thoughts. Instead of consulting the God who made the trees and the wood, they now consult the wooden idols that can be fashioned from them (v. 13). Their worship of the Canaanite gods, Baal and Asherah included rituals accompanied by vile practices. Male worshipers had sex with female temple prostitutes and young women wishing to bear children had sex with male priests (v. 13).
Judah was warned to avoid the sins of her sister Israel (v. 15). To associate with Israel’s false, hypocritical worship would be contaminating. In the midst of this idolatrous, immoral worship the Israelites even had the audacity to include the Lord’s name in oaths. God spared the Southern Kingdom one hundred thirty-five years longer than the Northern Kingdom, even though eventually they went the way of Israel also. Israel’s problem was not a lack of knowledge but in understanding the importance of the knowledge that they already had and willfully rejecting it in favor of their idolatrous practices. In other words, Israel’s problem was not knowledge but obedience. Because of her strong attachment to idolatry, Israel was to be left to herself and allowed to go to her doom. The wind that would sweep her away probably referred to the Assyrian invasion that would destroy the nation 20 years later (v. 19).
Application
A desire to be free from all restrictions could move me completely out of God’s will. Israel had cut themselves off from God’s word. If I allow the circumstances of life to cut me off from His Word I run the risk of being headed for judgement also. It is better to obey God than to make a lot of sacrifices in His name.
Hosea 4:11– 19 (NET)
11 Old and new wine take away the understanding of my people.
12 They consult their wooden idols, and their diviner’s staff answers with an oracle. The wind of prostitution blows them astray; they commit spiritual adultery against their God.
13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is so pleasant. As a result, your daughters have become cult prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery!
14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men consort with harlots, they sacrifice with temple prostitutes. It is true: “A people that lacks understanding will come to ruin!”
15 Although you, O Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty! Do not journey to Gilgal. Do not go up to Beth Aven. Do not swear, “As surely as the Lord lives!”
16 Israel has rebelled like a stubborn heifer! Soon the Lord will put them out to pasture like a lamb in a broad field.
17 Ephraim has attached himself to idols; Do not go near him!
18 They consume their alcohol, then engage in cult prostitution; they dearly love their shameful behavior.
19 A whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings; they will be brought to shame because of their idolatrous worship.