Hosea 5:1-15

     God continues to focus primarily on Israel, the Northern Kingdom, but also addresses Judah, the Southern Kingdom, who is following their example of idolatry (See Hos. 4:15). Now, Judah is warned of God’s judgment which will come upon them because of their sin (see Hos. 5:5, 10, 12-15). The theme of the chapter is God’s withdrawal because of their sin (Hos. 5:6, 15).

     Hosea accuses the priests, people, and king of Israel of being an idolatrous trap to others (Hos. 5:1). Those who have revolted against God will be chastised (Hos. 5:2), for God knows their spiritual harlotry (Hos. 5:3). They have become so steeped in their deeds that they cannot return to God, for they are governed by a spiritual of harlotry and no longer know the Lord (Hos. 5:4). Israel has stumbled in their idolatry, and Hosea tells us that Judah has stumbled with them (Hos. 5:5). Though they will seek the Lord through ritual sacrifices (Hos. 5:6a), they will not find Him, because “He has withdrawn from them” (Hos. 5:6b). By withdrawing from them, the Lord had removed His guidance, provision, and protection. The charge against Israel was “They have dealt treacherously against the LORD, for they have borne illegitimate children” (Hos. 5:7). This is likely a reference to the children who were born out of Israel’s adulterous relationships with pagan fertility prostitutes (see Hos. 4:13-15). God calls Israel to blow their trumpets and sound an alarm (Hos. 5:8) because judgment is coming and Israel “will become a desolation in the day of rebuke” (Hos. 5:9). A judgment is pronounced against Judah’s princes, for they “have become like those who move a boundary; on them I will pour out My wrath like water” (Hos. 5:10). Moving boundary markers refers to stealing land from another and was forbidden under the Law (Deut. 19:14; 27:17). Here the boundary was spiritual as Judah’s leadership redefined worship and stole people away from God. Israel (and Judah) was judged for following worthless advice rather than listening to God (Hos. 5:11), therefore, the Lord would destroy both Israel and Judah (Hos. 5:12). Israel then turned to Assyria for help, but the Assyrians were unable to cure them of the Lord’s disease (Hos. 5:13). God then likens Himself to a lion, even a young lion, that will tear Israel and Judah to pieces and lead them away into captivity (Hos. 5:14). God then declares, “I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me” (Hos 5:15). God is extremely patient, but His patience does not go forever (Ex. 34:6-7; Num. 14:18; Neh. 9:17-19), and after many centuries of rebellion, the Lord’s judgment was coming.