HOSEA 4
Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel,
for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.
There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land;
2 there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery;
they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
3 Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish,
and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens,
and even the fish of the sea are taken away.
4 Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse,
for with you is my contention, O priest. 5 You shall stumble by day;
the prophet also shall stumble with you by night; and I will destroy your mother.
– Hosea 4:1-5
HOSEA 4 GOD’S CASE AGAINST ISRAEL
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Oh Israel, what have you done against the Lord?
You have rebelled towards him and defied his laws
There’s much swearing, lying and stealing amongst you
So much bloodshed resulted as you engage in murder
Even your priests have sinned against the Lord God
Be ready when the Lord presents his case against you.
In this account, we witness God as Judge and present his case against Israel. When he summons the Israelites, God wants them to listen carefully as he states his case against them. In verse 1 God accuses them of betrayal. Without faithfulness to the Lord, they are guilty of spiritual adultery which is manifest in their worship of Baal and other gods. If they do not have knowledge of who God is, how can they know if they are doing what is right? If they do not know him, they would have no fear or reverence for him. In verse 2 God continues to enumerate the sins that they have committed such as swearing, lying, murder, stealing and adultery. Because of all these sins, they have deprived themselves of all the provisions of the Lord. The priests were also engaging in these sins.
REFLECTION
· What do you think is the source of all the sins in verse 2?
