Hosea 4:9 Study Bible: It will be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds.

◄ Hosea 4:9 ►

And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.

And it shall be
This phrase indicates a certainty and inevitability in the unfolding of events. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here is "הָיָה" (hayah), which means "to be" or "to become." It underscores the prophetic nature of Hosea's message, emphasizing that what is being declared is not merely a possibility but a definite outcome ordained by God. This reflects the unchanging nature of God's justice and the certainty of His word.

like people, like priest
This phrase highlights the parallelism between the behavior of the people and their spiritual leaders. In Hebrew, the word for "priest" is "כֹּהֵן" (kohen), which denotes someone who is supposed to be a mediator between God and the people. However, in this context, it suggests that the priests have become as corrupt as the people they lead. Historically, priests were expected to uphold and teach the law, serving as moral and spiritual exemplars. The failure of the priests to maintain their distinctiveness from the people signifies a breakdown in spiritual leadership and accountability, leading to communal sin.

I will punish both of them
The phrase "I will punish" comes from the Hebrew root "פָּקַד" (paqad), which can mean to visit, attend to, or reckon. In this context, it conveys the idea of divine retribution. The use of "both of them" emphasizes that neither the people nor the priests will escape God's judgment. This reflects the biblical principle that all are accountable to God, regardless of their status or role. It serves as a sobering reminder that leadership carries with it a greater responsibility and, consequently, a greater accountability.

for their ways
The term "ways" in Hebrew is "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh), which refers to a path or course of life. It implies a habitual pattern of behavior rather than isolated actions. This suggests that the judgment is not for singular transgressions but for a persistent lifestyle of disobedience and rebellion against God's commandments. The emphasis on "their ways" indicates that the people and priests have chosen a path contrary to God's will, leading to inevitable consequences.

and repay them for their deeds
The word "repay" is derived from the Hebrew "שָׁלַם" (shalam), meaning to complete or make whole. It conveys the idea of recompense or giving back in full measure. "Deeds" in Hebrew is "מַעֲשֶׂה" (ma'aseh), referring to actions or works. This phrase underscores the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where individuals receive consequences that correspond to their actions. It serves as a warning that God's justice is thorough and equitable, ensuring that every action is accounted for in His divine economy.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hosea
A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, Hosea's ministry focused on calling Israel back to faithfulness to God amidst rampant idolatry and moral decay.

2. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, often characterized by its unfaithfulness to God, which led to its eventual downfall and exile.

3. Priests
Religious leaders in Israel who were responsible for teaching the law and leading the people in worship. In Hosea's time, many priests were corrupt and led the people astray.

4. Judgment
The divine consequence pronounced by God through Hosea, indicating that both the people and the priests would face punishment for their collective sins.

5. Idolatry and Immorality
The prevalent sins in Israel during Hosea's time, which included worshiping false gods and engaging in unethical behaviors.

Teaching Points

Accountability of Leaders and Followers
Both religious leaders and their followers are accountable to God. Leaders must guide with integrity, and followers must seek truth and righteousness.

Consequences of Sin
Sin has consequences, and God’s justice ensures that both leaders and followers are held responsible for their actions.

Call to Holiness
Believers are called to live holy lives, reflecting God's character in both personal conduct and communal worship.

Role of Spiritual Leaders
Spiritual leaders have a significant influence on their communities and must lead by example, teaching and living according to God’s Word.

Repentance and Restoration
Despite the pronouncement of judgment, God’s desire is for repentance and restoration, offering hope for those who turn back to Him.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the phrase "like people, like priest" reflect the relationship between leaders and followers in your own community or church?

2. In what ways can you ensure that you are not led astray by leaders who may not be following God's Word?

3. Reflect on a time when you faced consequences for your actions. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's justice and mercy?

4. How can you actively pursue holiness in your daily life, and what steps can you take to encourage others to do the same?

5. Considering the role of spiritual leaders, how can you support and pray for your church leaders to remain faithful to their calling?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 19:2
This verse calls for holiness among God's people, highlighting the expectation that both leaders and followers should reflect God's character.

Malachi 2:7-9
These verses address the failure of priests to uphold their duties, similar to the situation in Hosea, where priests are held accountable for leading people astray.

1 Peter 2:9
This New Testament verse speaks to the priesthood of all believers, emphasizing the responsibility of all Christians to live righteously and lead others in truth.

Sermons

A Courageous Ministerial Reproof		Hosea 4:9
Hosea's Proverb	Dean Farrar, D. D.	Hosea 4:9
Like People, Like Priest	C. Jerdan	Hosea 4:9
Like People, Like Priest	J.R. Thomson	Hosea 4:9
Naughty Ministers	George Hutcheson.	Hosea 4:9
Priests Become Time-Servers	Robert Tuck, B. A.	Hosea 4:9
The Degradation of Holy Office	Joseph Parker, D. D.	Hosea 4:9
The Reciprocal Influence of Priesthood and People	D. Thomas	Hosea 4:9
The Reciprocal Influence of Priest-Hood and People	Homilist	Hosea 4:9
Priests and People	J. Orr	Hosea 4:6-11
Israel's Guilt and Punishment	C. Jerdan	Hosea 4:6-14

People

Hosea

Places

Beth-aven, Gilgal, Jezreel

Topics

Acts, Charged, Deeds, Doings, Evil, Habitual, Priest, Punish, Punishment, Recompense, Repay, Requite, Return, Reward, Visit

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Hosea 4:9

7767 priests, OT institution

Hosea 4:6-9

7768 priests, OT function

Hosea 4:6-13

7233 Israel, northern kingdom

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 Scripture

The 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

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