1 God’s Faithfulness and Love to a Faithless People A Study in Hosea by Brent Aucoin ©2014 Hosea #5 Goals for this Bible Study 1) To know God more through His revelation in the book of Hosea 2) To consciously apply the truths in the book of Hosea in the following three areas: a. What does the passage under consideration teach about God? b. What does the passage under consideration teach about humanity/what God desires in humanity? c. What does the passage under consideration teach about God’s plan? 3) To learn how to interpret Old Testament literature like Hosea 4) To encourage one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24‐25, accountability) Weekly Procedure 1) Each week do the assigned homework on your own. 2) Come to your small group with the following prepared: a. Your thoughtful answers to any discussion questions b. 2–3 insights you have learned from your study i. What does the passage under consideration teach about God? ii. What does the passage under consideration teach about humanity/what God desires in humanity? iii. What does the passage under consideration teach about God’s plan? c. 1‐2 ways you are applying the truths to your life d. Any questions you might have Personal Homework Week #5 1. Plan for 1 hour of study 2. Read through Hosea 1–6 in a translation of your choice. Read through completely without stopping. 3. Carefully read through the following text of Hosea 5‐6 with notes and discussion questions. 4. Then read through Hosea 5–6 again. 2 Hosea 5–6 (NIV) Repeated Key Words/Phrases/Concepts:  “Jezreel” is an Israelite city and a valley whose name means “God sows.” The Hebrew words relating to this “sowing” concept are highlighted in pink. Hosea uses this to indicate God “sows” judgment and also salvation.  The Hebrew words for adultery/prostitution are highlighted in dark grey.  The Hebrew word for Compassion/Mercy/Pity is highlighted in red. The NIV often translates this as “love,” yet, “compassion/mercy/pity” is more precise.  “My People/My God” terminology is highlighted in yellow. This is Exodus covenant language (Exodus 19:6) “uniting” God and His people just as wedding vows unite husband and wife. “Not My people/Not my God” is the language of the negation of the covenant just as a divorce breaks the husband/wife bond.  The Hebrew word for love is highlighted in blue.  The Hebrew word “hesed” is a key word in the OT used to describe God’s covenant loyalty. It is highlighted in grey. NIV translates this as “love/mercy.”  The Hebrew word for “turn/return/repent” to God is highlighted in green and is the solution for the wayward people. Reminder from Chapter 4:5–8 5. You (priests) stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother (the priestly institution) 6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children (the people of the land). 7 The more the priests increased, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful. 8 They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness. As 4:6 indicated, the people are facing destruction because of their lack of knowledge of God. This “knowledge” of God was the knowledge found in God’s Word revealed to Moses. The priesthood and the king were responsible for following, teaching and disseminating the Word of God. The charges listed in chapter 4 started with a rehearsal of the Ten Commandments from God’s Word. God’s people did not know Him or His righteous ways through His Word. Remember, the Northern Kingdom had purposefully ignored God’s Word when they set up an idolatrous religious system and a rival priesthood. Thus the king and 3 the illegitimate priests bear the primary responsibility for taking the people down a path of destruction. Hosea begins with singling out the priesthood and the monarchy. 
Prophetic Speech 2: Judgment against the priests, king, and people (Hosea 5:1–15) 5 “Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, you Israelites! Listen, O royal house! This judgment is against you: You have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor. 2
The rebels are deep in slaughter. (or this line could be translated “They have made the pit of Shittim deep”) I will discipline all of them. 3
I know all about Ephraim; Israel is not hidden from me. Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution; Israel is corrupt. 4
“Their deeds do not permit them to return (“turn/return/repent”)to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the LORD. 5
Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin; Judah also stumbles with them. Mizpah was a city in the buffer zone between the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel. At Mizpah, under Samuel, Israel sought the Lord (1 Sam 7:3–5; 10:17). Now, instead of a place where Israel was brought closer to the Lord, it has become a place to take Israel away from the Lord through idolatry. Mt. Tabor, a tall distinguished mountain in the north had probably become a place of idolatry. Thus, Hosea is saying from the south to the north, the land of Israel, instead of being a place to draw closer to God, has become a snare leading away from God. The first line of verse two has caused translators a bit of trouble. The word for “rebels” in Hebrew sounds very much like the place “Shittim.” If so, Hosea would have intended a three‐fold geographical reference (Mizpah, Tabor and Shittim) to go along with his three‐fold naming of people groups—priests, Israel, royal house. Hosea was probably creating a double entendre to remind his audience about what happened at Shittim—Israel played the harlot (Num 25:1). Israel does not know Yahweh, but Yahweh surely knows Israel. Note that “Ephraim” is a synonym for the northern kingdom. Ephraim was the largest tribe and formed the greatest majority of the northern kingdom. Because of their spiritual prostitution they are corrupt and unclean—a state of being among which God cannot dwell. Israel is beyond repentance at this point. Enslavement to sin can become so intense that a person is practically beyond repentance. Ponder: Why is this sobering? “They do not acknowledge the Lord”—Enslavement to sin can also lead to severe doubts about God and even result in atheism. Ponder: How have you seen this phenomenon in your spheres of relationships? It will be clearly seen why Israel falls (stumbles)—
because of her pride. While Hosea longs for their repentance, they are past repentance (v. 4) and the only possible action is a severe discipline. “Judah” is the name of the southern kingdom and is on the same path. 4 6
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When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them. They are unfaithful to the LORD; they give birth to illegitimate children. Now their New Moon festivals will devour them and their fields. “Sound the trumpet in Gibeah, the horn in Ramah. Raise the battle cry in Beth Aven; lead on, O Benjamin. Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of reckoning. Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain. Judah’s leaders are like those who move boundary stones. I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water. Ephraim is oppressed, trampled in judgment, intent on pursuing idols. I am like a moth (or maggot) to Ephraim, like rot to the people of Judah. “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his sores, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and sent to the great king for help. But he is not able to cure you, not able to heal your sores. For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a great lion to Judah. I will tear them to pieces and go away; I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them. Then I will go back (“turn/return/repent”) to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me.” While Israel may “seek the Lord” with sacrifices from their “flocks and herds” and their participation in religious “festivals,” the Lord is not in these hypocritical deeds. These deeds speak of the priests’ attempts to appease a god without genuine repentance. God is not manipulated by outward attempts of appeasement and/or penance. The people of Israel are now children of foreign gods, “illegitimate children,” and not children of the Lord. Ponder: How do you seek to do penance or appeasement of God instead of true repentance? Gibeah and Ramah are in the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin which served as a buffer zone between the northern and southern kingdom. Beth Aven, “house of sin”, (Bethel) is on the southern edge of the northern kingdom. Yahweh is communicating that the northern kingdom would be destroyed and Judah/Benjamin should take heed! Judah will be tempted to unrighteously “move the boundaries” to take advantage of securing a bit of Israel’s territory when the northern kingdom is ravaged. But Yahweh will pour out His wrath like a flood and these waters will hinder Judah from doing so. God will be like an “infection/puss/rot” in an incurable wound to Israel. He will be like gangrene. Israel has been in a slow demise which will lead to death—of which God would be the cause. Even when Israel/Judah realize they are sick and in need of help they seek political alliances—turning “to Assyria” instead of turning to God. They do not repent. It would be futility for Israel to turn to man to deliver them when God has ordained destruction. Again they are past repentance. So, God must be like a raging lion to them. (cf. I Kings 13—“the lion on the way”). Like a lion suddenly appears and tears to pieces, Israel would be suddenly destroyed after their long bout of being sick. Yahweh must kill the idolatrous political/religious institutions of Israel/Judah which have defiled the people and the land. Only then will the people of these kingdoms be in a position to know God and return to Him. Yahweh will wait for their repentance following their hardship. 5 Prophetic Speech 3: Warning against false and fleeting repentance (Hosea 6:1–11) 6 “Come, let us return (“turn/return/repent”) to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. 2
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. 3
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” 
Question: What specifically is Yahweh waiting for from Israel? Read Hosea 6:1‐3 in light of Hosea 5:11–15 Question: What similar words and themes do you observe? Hosea 5:11–15 and Hosea 6:1–3 are meant to go together because they are tied together by similar terminology. But what is the relationship of Hosea 6:1–3 to chapter 5? It might seem that 6:1–3 is a good prayer of repentance after God gives His people a good talking to in Hosea 4–5. Question: Read 6:1–3 again. Is this an acceptable prayer of repentance to God? Why? Or Why not? Question: Now, read Hosea 6:1–3 carefully in light of Hosea 5:15. Are these words the kind of words for which Yahweh is waiting? What is missing? Ponder: Read Hosea 14:1–3 below. Compare this with Hosea 6:1–3 at left. What do you notice about the prayer of the people in 6:1–3 compared to what God wants them to say in 14:2b–3? 14 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall! 2
Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. 3
Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount war‐horses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” Hosea 6:1–3 represents the typical response of the people in attempt to get out of discipline. They believe that the hardship may only last for a short time (i.e. two–
three days). The people’s words do not reflect an acknowledgement of sin and guilt. God was waiting for a true confession of sin/guilt (Hosea 5:15). The words in Hosea 6:1–3 have no admission of guilt. This continues to 6 4
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show that even when they “sought God” it was only to avoid punishment. They did not comprehend God’s righteousness and their own unrighteousness. Therefore they are not truly repentant. And therefore their words do not show that God is right and they are wrong. Ponder: What is true repentance? In what should it result? Note about Jesus: This is the only place in the OT where the concept of being raised again on “the third day” occurs. Paul states that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day according to Scripture (1 Cor 15:4). To what Scripture was Paul referring? There are several OT Scriptures that allude to a “resurrection” (like Psalm 16:8ff) but what Scriptures indicate “the third day?” Again this is the only passage in the OT that refers to “the third day.” Ponder: In the context of Israel “dying” and expecting to be raised again, faithless and non‐repentant Israel anticipated a quick restoration in three days. This attitude reinforces the idea that they had no real concept of their desperate condition. Israel would “die” and remain “dead” for a long while. However, faithful Jesus, the true Israel, who did not need to confess or admit guilt, indeed was vindicated by resurrection from the dead in “three days.” Instead of being guilty he was the guilt bearer. This prayer which rings empty on the lips of Israel becomes true of Him, the faithful Israel. God did revive Jesus the guiltless Israel on the third day. “What can I do with you, Ephraim? With Israel’s incomplete and false repentance which is What can I do with you, Judah? not accompanied by a confession of wrong doing, Your love (Key Hebrew word “hesed”—
exasperated Yahweh laments, “What can I do with you?” “Faithful commitment” like God’s Israel’s lip service to Yahweh was fleeting and like the commitment) is like the morning morning mist that evaporates in the heat. mist, like the early dew that disappears. Because of Israel’s lack of “words” of confession Therefore I cut you in pieces with my stemming from true repentance, Yahweh must “kill” prophets, Israel with His words. Remember God speaks and things I killed you with the words of my mouth; happen. Judgment is uttered and it will happen. Israel is my judgments flashed like lightning upon beyond repentance. you. For I desire mercy (Key Hebrew word God desires loyal commitment to Him, like He gives to “hesed”—“Faithful commitment” His people. like God’s commitment), not sacrifice, Ponder: Only Jesus was faithful to God, the Father, and and acknowledgment of God rather than had a steadfast love for God unlike the fading morning mist. burnt offerings. 7 Like Adam, they have broken the covenant— they were unfaithful to me there. 8
Gilead is a city of wicked men, stained with footprints of blood. 9
As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes. 10
I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled. 11
“Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed. 7
Hosea ends this speech by listing three places in Israel, Adam, Gilead, and Shechem which most likely were filled with Israel’s idolatry like the rest of the land. Additionally, Hosea uses each of these places to tie Israel’s sin back to historical persons in Genesis. Obviously “Adam” brings to mind the first covenant breaker—Adam (Gen 3). Then he mentions, “footprints of blood” at Gilead. “Footprints” in Hebrew sounds like the name “Jacob”—the deceiver (Gen 25:25–34; 27:1–
46). Hosea uses wordplay to communicate that the northern kingdom had become like the worst part of their forefather, Jacob (who later wrestled with God and received a name change to “Israel,” Gen 32:24–32). Finally, the northern kingdom’s priests had also become like Jacob’s sons who committed horrible crimes at Shechem (Gen 34). Discussion and Application 1) Summarize what you understand to be the primary content of Hosea 5–6. 2) How does this content apply to you? 3) Consider the danger of being in a position where one is practically unable to repent. How does this impact you? How does a person get to this place? What should the person expect who gets to this place? 4) What is shallow and superficial repentance that does not bring forgiveness? How does it look? What are the danger signs that you are developing habits of false repentance but thinking you are “good” with God? 5) The wise man hears the message of this book. What do you specifically need to heed in order to be a wise child of God? 8 Pointers to Jesus: 6) God desired a people who were faithful to Him (Hosea 6:4, 6). Israel perpetually broke the covenant of God. Again, for what kind of man/person did this demonstrate a need? 7) Again, how is Jesus Christ the opposite of Israel? Why are we hopeful about being “in Christ” today? 8) What is your response to the “third day” discussion in application to Jesus’ resurrection? What questions/comments do you have? Interpreting the Scriptures: 9) What have you learned about interpreting a prophetic book like Hosea?