Oseas 4:12-19

12 ¡Piden consejo a un trozo de madera!
¡Creen que un palo puede decirles el futuro!
El deseo de ir tras los ídolos
los ha vuelto necios.
Se prostituyeron
sirviendo a otros dioses y abandonando a su Dios.

13 Ofrecen sacrificios a ídolos en la cima de las montañas.
Suben a las colinas para quemar incienso
bajo la sombra placentera de robles, álamos y terebintos.
»Por eso sus hijas se entregan a la prostitución
y sus nueras cometen adulterio.

14 Pero ¿por qué debería yo castigarlas
por su prostitución y adulterio?
Pues sus hombres hacen lo mismo,
pecando con rameras y prostitutas de los templos paganos.
¡Oh pueblo necio! ¡Se niegan a entender,
por eso será destruido!

15 »A pesar de que tú, Israel, eres una prostituta,
que Judá se libre de semejante culpa.
No te unas a la falsa adoración en Gilgal o Bet-avén,
aunque allí se jure en el nombre del Señor
.

16 Israel es obstinado
como una vaquilla terca.
¿Debería el Señor
alimentarlo
como a un cordero en buenos pastizales?

17 Dejen a Israel
solo
porque está casado con la idolatría.

18 Cuando los gobernantes de Israel terminan de beber,
salen en busca de prostitutas.
Aman más la vergüenza que el honor.

19 Por lo tanto, un viento poderoso los arrasará.
Sus sacrificios a ídolos les traerán vergüenza.

Oseas 4:12-19 Meaning and Commentary

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.