Hosea 4

1 audite verbum Domini filii Israhel quia iudicium Domino cum habitatoribus terrae non est enim veritas et non est misericordia et non est scientia Dei in terra

2 maledictum et mendacium et homicidium et furtum et adulterium inundaverunt et sanguis sanguinem tetigit

3 propter hoc lugebit terra et infirmabitur omnis qui habitat in ea in bestia agri et in volucre caeli sed et pisces maris congregabuntur

4 verumtamen unusquisque non iudicet et non arguatur vir populus enim tuus sicut hii qui contradicunt sacerdoti

5 et corrues hodie et corruet etiam propheta tecum nocte tacere feci matrem tuam

6 conticuit populus meus eo quod non habuerit scientiam quia tu scientiam reppulisti repellam te ne sacerdotio fungaris mihi et oblita es legis Dei tui obliviscar filiorum tuorum et ego

7 secundum multitudinem eorum sic peccaverunt mihi gloriam eorum in ignominiam commutabo

8 peccata populi mei comedent et ad iniquitatem eorum sublevabunt animas eorum

9 et erit sicut populus sic sacerdos et visitabo super eum vias eius et cogitationes eius reddam ei

10 et comedent et non saturabuntur fornicati sunt et non cessaverunt quoniam Dominum reliquerunt in non custodiendo

11 fornicatio et vinum et ebrietas aufert cor

12 populus meus in ligno suo interrogavit et baculus eius adnuntiavit ei spiritus enim fornicationum decepit eos et fornicati sunt a Deo suo

13 super capita montium sacrificabant et super colles accendebant thymiama subtus quercum et populum et terebinthum quia bona erat umbra eius ideo fornicabuntur filiae vestrae et sponsae vestrae adulterae erunt

14 non visitabo super filias vestras cum fuerint fornicatae et super sponsas vestras cum adulteraverint quoniam ipsi cum meretricibus versabantur et cum effeminatis sacrificabant et populus non intellegens vapulabit

15 si fornicaris tu Israhel non delinquat saltim Iuda et nolite ingredi in Galgala et ne ascenderitis in Bethaven neque iuraveritis vivit Dominus

16 quoniam sicut vacca lasciviens declinavit Israhel nunc pascet eos Dominus quasi agnum in latitudine

17 particeps idolorum Ephraim dimitte eum

18 separatum est convivium eorum fornicatione fornicati sunt dilexerunt adferre ignominiam protectores eius

19 ligavit spiritus eam in alis suis et confundentur a sacrificiis suis

Hosea 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

God's judgments against the sins of the people. (1-5) and of the priests. (6-11) Idolatry is reproved, and Judah is admonished. (12-19)

Verses 1-5 Hosea reproves for immorality, as well as idolatry. There was no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God in the land: it was ( 2 Kings. 21:16 ) which would desolate the country. Our sins, as separate persons, as a family, as a neighbourhood, as a nation, cause the Lord to have a controversy with us; let us submit and humble ourselves before Him, that he may not go on to destroy.

Verses 6-11 Both priests and people rejected knowledge; God will justly reject them. They forgot the law of God, neither desired nor endeavoured to retain it in mind, and to transmit the remembrance to their posterity; therefore God will justly forget them and their children. If we dishonour God with that which is our honour, it will, sooner or later, be turned into shame to us. Instead of warning the people against sin, from the consideration of the sacrifices, which showed what an offence sin was to God, since it needed an atonement, the priests encouraged the people to sin, since atonement might be made at so small an expense. It is very wicked to be pleased with the sins of others, because they may turn to our advantage. What is unlawfully gained, cannot be comfortably used. The people and the priests hardened one another in sin; therefore justly shall they share in the punishment. Sharers in sin must expect to share in ruin. Any lust harboured in the heart, in time will eat out all its strength and vigour. That is the reason why many professors grow so heavy, so dull, so dead in the way of religion. They have a liking for some secret lust, which takes away their hearts.

Verses 12-19 The people consulted images, and not the Divine word. This would lead to disorder and sin. Thus men prepare scourges for themselves, and vice is spread through a people. Let not Judah come near the idolatrous worship of Israel. For Israel was devoted to idols, and must now be let alone. When sinners cast off the easy yoke of Christ, they go on in sin till the Lord saith, Let them alone. Then they receive no more warnings, feel no more convictions: Satan takes full possession of them, and they ripen for destruction. It is a sad and sore judgment for any man to be let alone in sin. Those who are not disturbed in their sin, will be destroyed for their sin. May we be kept from this awful state; for the wrath of God, like a strong tempest, will soon hurry impenitent sinners into ruin.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 4

This chapter contains a new sermon or prophecy, delivered in proper and express words, without types and figures, as before; in which the people of Israel are summoned to appear at the tribunal of God, to hear the charge brought against them, and the sentence to be pronounced upon them, and which would be executed. They are charged with sins of omission and commission; with want of truth and mercy to men, and with ignorance of God; with swearing, lying, murder, theft, and adultery, Ho 4:1,2, the punishment threatened is the sword, famine, and pestilence; which should affect the whole land, and all creatures in it, men, beasts, fowls, and fishes, Ho 4:3, then the priests and false prophets are threatened with falling into calamities along with the people, and with rejection from their office, and forgetfulness of their posterity, and a taking away their glory from them, because of their striving with the true prophets; their rejection of knowledge; forgetfulness of the law of God; covetousness, adultery, and drunkenness, Ho 4:4-11, then the discourse is turned to the people again, who are charged with divination and idolatry, which is spiritual adultery; and therefore, by way of retaliation, their wives and daughters would be left to commit adultery and fornication, Ho 4:12-14, and the chapter is concluded with advice to Israel not to tempt Judah to sin; or to Judah not to do the like, after the example of Israel, who were backsliders, idolaters, left of God and alone; guilty of bribery, and the like shameful things, and would be suddenly filled with shame, Ho 4:15-19.