Hosea 4 -- Warning! God Always Keeps His Promises

God conducted a “trial” against the people of the northern kingdom.  He called them out for their disloyalty to Him.  In fact, their basic sin was ignorance of God.  My commentary said, “This means much more than knowledge about God.  The Hebrew word describes a husband’s most intimate relationship with his wife.”  They’d refused to learn about God and forgotten the teachings of God.  In fact, the priests wanted people to sin more so they’d bring more food offerings, giving the priests more to eat!

The effects of this sinfulness on the nation would be disastrous.  Infertility would result from their worship of fertility idols, and their use of temple prostitutes would cause their children to become temple prostitutes.

Something the people were failing to realize was this:  “Whether to bless or to judge, God always keeps His covenant promises.”  That should serve as a wakeup call, but it didn’t.

Father, a lack of knowledge of You and Your holiness is a dangerous thing, and people ignore You at their peril.  I remember too well doing so myself.  My supposed knowledge and wisdom was foolishness because it took me away from You.  Help my sons to understand this and to not repeat my mistakes.  Grow us in our knowledge of You.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford