Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.
The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.
They shall not dwell in the Lord’s land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.
They shall not offer wine offerings to the Lord, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the Lord.
What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the Lord?
For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.
The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.
They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal–peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.
Give them, O Lord: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.
Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.
My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.
Hosea 9 serves as a stark warning against spiritual adultery and its devastating consequences. This chapter unveils the painful reality of Israel's unfaithfulness and the judgment that inevitably follows. It's a passage that resonates even today, reminding us of the importance of unwavering devotion to God and the perils of pursuing fleeting worldly pleasures.
No More Rejoicing: The Joy of Sin is Short-Lived (Hosea 9:1-6)
Hosea begins by urging Israel to cease their jubilant celebrations "as do the nations" (Hosea 9:1). Their rejoicing is misplaced because it is rooted in pagan practices and a departure from their covenant with God. The prophet vividly describes their involvement in Canaanite fertility rites, symbolized by the "wages of a prostitute on every grain-threshing floor" (Hosea 9:1). This is a powerful image of spiritual promiscuity, highlighting how Israel has prostituted herself to idols, seeking blessing and abundance from false gods.
Tony Evans points out that these promiscuous acts were clear evidence of Israel’s departure from God’s covenant. They abandoned the covenant lifestyle, with all its blessings, in favor of a promiscuous lifestyle identical to that of the surrounding nations.
But God will not allow them to prosper in this unfaithfulness. Instead of a bountiful harvest, they will face exile (Hosea 9:2-6). This expulsion from the land mirrors the fate of previous inhabitants who were driven out because of their own wickedness (Exodus 23:24-33). It was also a prophesied consequence for Israel should they follow the same path (Deuteronomy 4:25-27). Their desire to be like everyone else would ultimately lead to their being scattered with everyone else.
Rejection of the Prophet: A Sign of Spiritual Decay (Hosea 9:7-9)
God, in His mercy, repeatedly sent prophets to warn His people. However, Israel responded with scorn, considering the prophet "a fool" and "insane" (Hosea 9:7). This rejection of God's messengers is a clear indicator of their spiritual decline. When we are faithful to God's Word, we should be prepared for the possibility that others may misunderstand or even mock us. The "watchman," a biblical term for the prophet (Jeremiah 6:17, Ezekiel 3:17), faced hostility from a corrupt people (Hosea 9:8-9).
From Delight to Detestation: The Consequences of Idolatry (Hosea 9:10-17)
Hosea recalls a time when God was pleased with Israel, but their devotion quickly turned to the worship of pagan gods (Hosea 9:10; see Numbers 25:1-9). A crucial principle emerges: "they became as detestable as the things they loved" (Hosea 9:10). This principle is timeless. We become like that which we worship (Psalm 115:4-8), whether it be an idol or Christ. Therefore, it is crucial to examine what we truly value and dedicate ourselves to.
Ephraim's glory would come to an end (Hosea 9:11). Though they sought fertility from lifeless idols, they would ultimately lose their children (Hosea 9:14). Because of their evil and wicked actions (Hosea 9:15), God would reject them and make them wanderers among the nations (Hosea 9:17). Turning away from the King and kingdom principles leaves you with some of the world—but all of nothing.
Hosea 9 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness and the importance of remaining steadfast in our devotion to God. It is a call to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are not pursuing fleeting worldly pleasures at the expense of our relationship with Him.
Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.
The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.
They shall not dwell in the Lord’s land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.
They shall not offer wine offerings to the Lord, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the Lord.
What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the Lord?
For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.
The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.
They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal–peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.
Give them, O Lord: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.
Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.
My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.
Hosea 9 serves as a stark warning against spiritual adultery and its devastating consequences. This chapter unveils the painful reality of Israel's unfaithfulness and the judgment that inevitably follows. It's a passage that resonates even today, reminding us of the importance of unwavering devotion to God and the perils of pursuing fleeting worldly pleasures.
No More Rejoicing: The Joy of Sin is Short-Lived (Hosea 9:1-6)
Hosea begins by urging Israel to cease their jubilant celebrations "as do the nations" (Hosea 9:1). Their rejoicing is misplaced because it is rooted in pagan practices and a departure from their covenant with God. The prophet vividly describes their involvement in Canaanite fertility rites, symbolized by the "wages of a prostitute on every grain-threshing floor" (Hosea 9:1). This is a powerful image of spiritual promiscuity, highlighting how Israel has prostituted herself to idols, seeking blessing and abundance from false gods.
Tony Evans points out that these promiscuous acts were clear evidence of Israel’s departure from God’s covenant. They abandoned the covenant lifestyle, with all its blessings, in favor of a promiscuous lifestyle identical to that of the surrounding nations.
But God will not allow them to prosper in this unfaithfulness. Instead of a bountiful harvest, they will face exile (Hosea 9:2-6). This expulsion from the land mirrors the fate of previous inhabitants who were driven out because of their own wickedness (Exodus 23:24-33). It was also a prophesied consequence for Israel should they follow the same path (Deuteronomy 4:25-27). Their desire to be like everyone else would ultimately lead to their being scattered with everyone else.
Rejection of the Prophet: A Sign of Spiritual Decay (Hosea 9:7-9)
God, in His mercy, repeatedly sent prophets to warn His people. However, Israel responded with scorn, considering the prophet "a fool" and "insane" (Hosea 9:7). This rejection of God's messengers is a clear indicator of their spiritual decline. When we are faithful to God's Word, we should be prepared for the possibility that others may misunderstand or even mock us. The "watchman," a biblical term for the prophet (Jeremiah 6:17, Ezekiel 3:17), faced hostility from a corrupt people (Hosea 9:8-9).
From Delight to Detestation: The Consequences of Idolatry (Hosea 9:10-17)
Hosea recalls a time when God was pleased with Israel, but their devotion quickly turned to the worship of pagan gods (Hosea 9:10; see Numbers 25:1-9). A crucial principle emerges: "they became as detestable as the things they loved" (Hosea 9:10). This principle is timeless. We become like that which we worship (Psalm 115:4-8), whether it be an idol or Christ. Therefore, it is crucial to examine what we truly value and dedicate ourselves to.
Ephraim's glory would come to an end (Hosea 9:11). Though they sought fertility from lifeless idols, they would ultimately lose their children (Hosea 9:14). Because of their evil and wicked actions (Hosea 9:15), God would reject them and make them wanderers among the nations (Hosea 9:17). Turning away from the King and kingdom principles leaves you with some of the world—but all of nothing.
Hosea 9 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness and the importance of remaining steadfast in our devotion to God. It is a call to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are not pursuing fleeting worldly pleasures at the expense of our relationship with Him.