Warning to the southern kingdom of Judah

The prophecy of Hosea was spoken to the northern kingdom of Israel, yet there were exceptional times when he also spoke to the southern kingdom of Judah. Today’s passage is one of those exceptions. Summarized, Hosea is saying: “O Judah, do not commit the same sins as Israel.” Three specific sins of Israel are highlighted, and Judah is warned not to imitate them.

Three sins of the northern kingdom of Israel

(1) They must not imitate the worship practiced in the northern kingdom of Israel. Verse 15 says, “You are not go to Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven.” Gilgal had once been the location of a school of prophets (2 Kings 4:38), but the northern kingdom of Israel had turned it into a center of idolatrous worship. Beth-aven is the place that had formerly been called Bethel (house of God). The same place had now come to be called Beth-aven (house of evil). Abraham had built an altar at Bethel (Gen. 12:8). Furthermore, Jacob also built an altar there (Gen. 28:18-22; 35:13-15). A school of prophets was later established in Bethel as well (2 Kings 2:2-3). Thus, the place where the patriarchs had built altars to the true God eventually became the location where the golden calf was set up (1 Kings 12:29). By the time of Hosea, it had become a center of idolatrous worship. (2) They must not imitate the stubborn and disobedient attitude of the northern kingdom of Israel. Verse 16 says, “Since Israel is stubborn like a stubborn cow, will the Lord now pasture them like lambs in a large field?” Israel was a treacherous people and refused to repent. Therefore, God would make them “like lambs in a large field.” This means that, just as lambs in an open field become prey for wild animals, so Israel would become prey for their enemies. (3) Since the northern kingdom of Israel is engrossed in idolatry, they are to be left alone. Verse 17 says, “Ephraim is allied with idols; leave him alone.” “Ephraim” refers to the northern kingdom of Israel. Among the ten tribes of the northern kingdom, the tribe of Ephraim was the most influential, so “Ephraim” became a synonym for the entire northern kingdom. Because corrupt priests led the people, the people fell into idolatry, drunkenness, and immorality. The northern kingdom of Israel would perish because of the sins they themselves committed. The southern kingdom of Judah was to sever all ties with such a people. We also must be very cautious when associating with those who seem to have crossed a point of no return. Let us pray that we will be protected from false worship, stubborn hearts, and immoral associations.