Hosea 8 Commentary
The Abrahamic convent was reduced to 10 commandments on Mount Sinai. It is this convent that Israel has broken. It is an interesting picture because Israel hasn’t outrightly rejected the LORD. They have held on to the belief that they still know God and God still knows them. But it’s all false.
It’s actually Commandment 1, the first and most important commandment that Israel has broken. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Yet somehow Israel feels one or two, or even three other gods won’t do any harm. Let the LORD God be just one of the many gods we know. How mistaken they are!
The saint should know. Acquiring gods isn’t child’s play. No one picks up a god at leisure. It is never a casual walk into paganism.
My neighbor is doing great. His god must be great. A trip in that direction isn’t bad at all. There are reasons for trips into pagan territory. You admire their wealth; you admire their life. They are victorious! Their crop doesn’t fail like mine. You are tired of failure. Your hopes and aspirations never come to fruition. Yours is a hard trip through life. ‘Them’ and their gods have it easy. So you begin to embrace their practices. But you really haven’t denounced your God though you have put question marks on His willingness to give you a great life.
The gold bull worshipped by the people of Samaria isn’t child’s play. They do so for its perceived benefits. Please take note. Verse 5.
You have broken rule number 1. The relationship breaks down. Stop your pretense. The Creator God isn’t in it anymore. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
And because you have no Master over your life, you proceed to do as you please. You choose kings on the whim – as you see fit. After all, you are your own god. Two things have happened. You have installed other gods and you have also installed yourself as a god. Either way, the devil is happy because your relationship with the LORD is cut.
There are consequences. The LORD moves in and reduces the gods to ashes. That includes you since you are also a god to yourself.
I will send them back to Egypt. Verse 13. Salvation reversed. Assyria will oppress them. Verse 10. Who hasn’t known the oppression of evil? It is good to experience it so that you can tell the difference. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8 verse 36. This is the restoration that Hosea has preached. It is possible and actually available to all.
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