Prophecy for the people of te northern kingdom

The book of Hosea is divided into two parts: the first half (chapters 1-3, Hosea’s married life) and the second half (chapters 4-14, prophecies to the northern kingdom of Israel). Beginning with today’s passage, we enter the second half. “Listen to the word of the Lord, you sons of Israel” is a standard formula used when introducing a prophetic message. Here, the Lord “contends” with the people of Israel. (1) The reason the Lord brings a charge against the people is that they lack “truth,” “faithfulness,” and “knowledge of God.” In particular, the lack of knowledge is strongly condemned. Their ignorance did not come from God failing to give them knowledge of Himself. Rather, they rejected the knowledge that had been given to them, and as a result, they lost it. (2) They abandoned “truth” and “faithfulness,” and lived in violation of the Law. Verse 2 says, “There is oath-taking, denial, murder, stealing, and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.” All of these sins are violations of the Law, especially of the Ten Commandments. (3) As a result, the land of Israel becomes cursed. The land loses its power to produce, the animals lose their ability to reproduce, and even the fish of the sea perish.

The sins of the priests

Next, the sins of the priests are condemned. (1) The priests and Levites were not merely performing rituals in the temple. They had the duty of teaching the people of Israel. (2) To fulfill that mission, the tribe of Levi was not given its own land. Instead, they lived dispersed among the territories of the twelve tribes. In order to teach the Mosaic Law to the people, they lived scattered throughout the land of Israel. (3) In those days, it was impossible for ordinary people to possess copies of the Scriptures. Only the priests and Levites could own them. (4) However, they neglected the mission given to them by the Lord and lived selfishly. (5) Furthermore, the prophets also lived corrupt lives. (6) The statement “I will destroy your mother” means that the nation (the “mother”) will perish. When the servants of the Lord forget their mission, the Lord’s judgment comes upon the land. This is God’s rod of correction to bring His straying people back to the right path. Paul says, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants on account of Jesus” (2 Cor. 4:5). Let us walk in the way of the Lord’s will so that we may hear His commendation: “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).