Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, 'As surely as the LORD lives!' Though you prostitute yourself, O IsraelThis phrase uses the metaphor of prostitution to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. In the Old Testament, idolatry is often depicted as spiritual adultery. Israel's worship of other gods is akin to a wife being unfaithful to her husband. This imagery is consistent with the broader theme of Hosea, where the prophet's own marriage serves as a symbol of God's relationship with Israel. The nation has turned away from the covenant relationship established at Sinai (Exodus 19-24), choosing instead to follow the practices of surrounding pagan nations. May Judah avoid such guilt!
Here, the prophet Hosea warns the southern kingdom of Judah not to follow in the footsteps of the northern kingdom of Israel. At this time, the kingdoms were divided, with Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The warning implies that Judah still has the opportunity to remain faithful to God and avoid the consequences of idolatry and disobedience that Israel is facing. This reflects the biblical principle that God desires repentance and faithfulness from His people (2 Chronicles 7:14). Do not journey to Gilgal
Gilgal was a significant location in Israel's history, initially a place of worship and remembrance (Joshua 4:19-24). However, by Hosea's time, it had become a center for idolatrous practices. The prophet's admonition not to journey there indicates that the site had become associated with false worship and corruption. This serves as a reminder of how places and practices once dedicated to God can become corrupted when the people turn away from Him. Do not go up to Beth-aven
Beth-aven, meaning "house of wickedness," is a derogatory name for Bethel, which means "house of God." Bethel was another significant religious site, originally a place where Jacob encountered God (Genesis 28:10-19). However, it had become a center for idol worship, particularly the worship of golden calves (1 Kings 12:28-29). Hosea's use of "Beth-aven" underscores the transformation of a holy place into one of sin and idolatry, highlighting the consequences of turning away from true worship. And do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
Swearing an oath by God's name was a serious act, signifying truth and commitment (Deuteronomy 6:13). However, in the context of Israel's unfaithfulness, such oaths had become empty and hypocritical. The people were invoking God's name while living in disobedience, which is a violation of the commandment not to take the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7). This phrase calls for sincerity and integrity in one's relationship with God, emphasizing that true worship involves both words and actions. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelThe northern kingdom, often depicted as unfaithful to God, engaging in idolatry and spiritual adultery. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom, warned not to follow Israel's sinful ways. 3. GilgalA significant location in Israel's history, often associated with idolatrous practices during Hosea's time. 4. Beth-avenA derogatory name for Bethel, meaning "house of wickedness," highlighting its idolatrous state. 5. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, whose name is invoked in oaths, emphasizing the seriousness of swearing falsely. Teaching Points Avoiding Spiritual AdulteryJust as Israel was warned, we must guard against idolatry in our lives, whether it be materialism, pride, or other forms of unfaithfulness to God. Influence and ResponsibilityJudah is cautioned not to follow Israel's example. We must be mindful of the influence we have on others and strive to lead by godly example. The Significance of PlacesLocations can hold spiritual significance, either positive or negative. We should be aware of the environments we engage in and their impact on our spiritual walk. The Weight of Our WordsSwearing falsely by God's name is a serious offense. Our words should reflect our commitment to truth and integrity. Repentance and ReturnThe call to avoid these places and practices is also a call to repentance. We are invited to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness and restoration. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "idols" that can lead us away from faithfulness to God, similar to the idolatry in Israel? 2. How can we ensure that we are not negatively influencing others in their spiritual journey, as Judah was warned not to follow Israel? 3. In what ways can the places we frequent impact our spiritual lives, and how can we choose environments that encourage our faith? 4. How can we practice integrity in our speech and commitments, ensuring that we honor God with our words? 5. What steps can we take to repent and return to God when we recognize areas of unfaithfulness in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Amos 4:4-5Amos also condemns the idolatrous practices at Gilgal and Bethel, reinforcing the warning against these places. Jeremiah 7:9-10Jeremiah speaks against false oaths and the misuse of God's name, similar to Hosea's warning. 1 Kings 12:28-29The establishment of golden calves in Bethel and Dan by Jeroboam, setting a precedent for idolatry in Israel. People HoseaPlaces Beth-aven, Gilgal, JezreelTopics Adultery, Aven, Beth, Bethaven, Beth-aven, Beth-a'ven, Commit, Enter, Error, Gilgal, Guilty, Harlot, Judah, O, Oath, Offend, Play, Playest, Prostitute, Surely, Swear, Though, Trespass, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 4:10-15 6189 immorality, examples Hosea 4:10-19 8705 apostasy, in OT Library 'Let Him Alone'
'Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.'--HOSEA iv. 17. The tribe of Ephraim was the most important member of the kingdom of Israel; consequently its name was not unnaturally sometimes used in a wider application for the whole of the kingdom, of which it was the principal part. Being the 'predominant partner,' its name was used alone for that of the whole firm, just as in our own empire, we often say 'England,' meaning thereby the three kingdoms: England, Scotland, and Ireland. So 'Ephraim' here …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers.
1. His Early Years.--Ephraim, according to this biography, was a Syrian of Mesopotamia, by birth, and by parentage on both sides. His mother was of Amid (now Diarbekr) a central city of that region; his father belonged to the older and more famous City of Nisibis, not far from Amid but near the Persian frontier, where he was priest of an idol named Abnil (or Abizal) in the days of Constantine the Great (306-337). This idol was afterwards destroyed by Jovian (who became Emperor in 363 after the …
Ephraim the Syrian—Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian Instruction for the Ignorant:
BEING A SALVE TO CURE THAT GREAT WANT OF KNOWLEDGE, WHICH SO MUCH REIGNS BOTH IN YOUNG AND OLD. PREPARED AND PRESENTED TO THEM IN A PLAIN AND EASY DIALOGUE, FITTED TO THE CAPACITY OF THE WEAKEST. 'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.'--Hosea 4:6 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This little catechism is upon a plan perfectly new and unique. It was first published as a pocket volume in 1675, and has been republished in every collection of the author's works; and recently in a separate tract. …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Of Orders.
Of this sacrament the Church of Christ knows nothing; it was invented by the church of the Pope. It not only has no promise of grace, anywhere declared, but not a word is said about it in the whole of the New Testament. Now it is ridiculous to set up as a sacrament of God that which can nowhere be proved to have been instituted by God. Not that I consider that a rite practised for so many ages is to be condemned; but I would not have human inventions established in sacred things, nor should it be …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation "For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free from the Law of Sin and Death. "
Rom. viii. 2.--"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." You know there are two principal things in the preceding verse,--the privilege of a Christian, and the property or character of a Christian. He is one that never enters into condemnation; He that believeth shall not perish, John iii. 15. And then he is one that walks not after the flesh, though he be in the flesh, but in a more elevate way above men, after the guiding and leading …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Epistle cxxi. To Leander, Bishop of Hispalis (Seville).
To Leander, Bishop of Hispalis (Seville). Gregory to Leander, Bishop of Spain. I have the epistle of thy Holiness, written with the pen of charity alone. For what the tongue transferred to the paper had got its tincture from the heart. Good and wise men were present when it was read, and at once their bowels were stirred with emotion. Everyone began to seize thee in his heart with the hand of love, for that in that epistle the sweetness of thy disposition was not to be heard, but seen. All severally …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within in his Occupation among the Things that are Without, nor Neglect to Provide
The ruler should not relax his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within; lest either, given up to the things that are without, he fall away from his inmost concerns, or, occupied only with the things that are within bestow not on his neighbours outside himself what he owes them. For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Doctrine
OF THE LAW AND GRACE UNFOLDED; OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING THE LAW AND GRACE; THE NATURE OF THE ONE, AND THE NATURE OF THE OTHER; SHOWING WHAT THEY ARE, AS THEY ARE THE TWO COVENANTS; AND LIKEWISE, WHO THEY BE, AND WHAT THEIR CONDITIONS ARE, THAT BE UNDER EITHER OF THESE TWO COVENANTS: Wherein, for the better understanding of the reader, there are several questions answered touching the law and grace, very easy to be read, and as easy to be understood, by those that are the sons of wisdom, the children …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Hosea 4:15 NIVHosea 4:15 NLTHosea 4:15 ESVHosea 4:15 NASBHosea 4:15 KJV
Hosea 4:15 Commentaries
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