August 19, Hosea 10
"When I please, I will discipline them, and nations shall be gathered against them when they are bound up for their double iniquity."
- Hosea 10:10
Israel moved farther and farther away from God through the centuries he waited for them to return. But Israel's time and God's patience were both coming to an end. The monarchy and the priesthood were both broken beyond repair. The long-delayed consequences of the nation's rebellion and idolatry were coming soon.
Israel proved what Jesus would say centuries later about our hearts and our treasure. They misspent their prosperity on their idols. They used their God-given gifts to gratify their lust instead of using them for God's glory. They repaid God's favor with faithless ingratitude. Israel had a false (or divided) heart, evidenced by their empty oaths and corrupt lives. They trusted in idols, and God was about to destroy their idols. The king they demanded could not save them from the calamity that was coming. The invading Assyrians would take their king and their idols away and bring their kingdom to an end. The suffering would be so intense that they would prefer to be buried alive, rather than live through the harsh punishment for their sins.
God had blessed and favored this nation more than any other people. But now, like Gomer in Hosea's house, they would lose their honored privilege and would be reduced to slavery.
God had already sentenced the nation to death, but individuals could still choose to turn to God. Through Hosea, God appealed to them to sow righteousness and steadfast love. He encouraged them to return to sowing their seeds in the long uncultivated ground of devotion to him. If they were willing to turn to God and seek him, he would return to them and rain down righteousness on their rededicated lives. It was past time for these people to cease their defiant declarations of independence and return to the true God.
God assured them that he was in control, not only of them and their nation, but also of their neighbors who would come against them and destroy them. God does what he pleases, when he pleases. His timing would be perfect and his judgment would be just. He was going to punish the apostate nation for what he called their "double iniquity." What does that mean? Perhaps it is a reference to the idolatrous sins they committed, even when they knew better and were more accountable for that sin because of their covenant law from God. Or in the context, it seems to point to those two roots of their fallen state— the failed monarchy and the illegitimate priesthood. In both chapters 9 and 10, God referred to their rejection of him as king and to their idolatry. Whatever specific transgressions the double iniquity might refer to, the statement confirmed their guilt and the righteousness of God's punishment.
Israel failed to use the blessings, resources and privileges God gave them for their intended purpose. God told them they had to bear the guilt for that misappropriation of what he had entrusted to them.
I hope this solemn chapter will do more than convince us that ancient Israel deserved the severe punishment God gave them. I hope it points to the abiding principles we need to take from what is here and apply them to our own lives. Aren't we tempted to divide our hearts between God and worldly idols? That's not genuine devotion at all. Do we respect and honor God's authority and worship and serve him only? Do we trust that he is in complete control of our lives and everything around us? Do we misuse and spend our God-given blessings on things that do not honor God? And if we are convicted by these questions, do we realize that right now is the time to seek the Lord? Even if we've failed, God in his mercy still pleads with us to return to him before it is too late. We cannot undo the past. We must trust what Jesus did at the cross for that. But we can by his grace recommit our lives to him this very day. Remember, he knows if our hearts are true or false. May God show his mercy and extend his grace to each of us today!
Copyright © 2024 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—August 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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