Hosea 9:9 Study Bible: They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity. He will punish them for their sins.

◄ Hosea 9:9 ►

They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.

Study Bible

They have deeply corrupted themselves
The phrase indicates a profound moral and spiritual decay among the people. This corruption is not superficial but deeply ingrained, suggesting a willful and persistent turning away from God's commandments. The depth of their corruption implies a complete departure from the covenant relationship with God, reflecting a heart hardened against divine instruction. This mirrors the condition of humanity described in Genesis 6:5, where every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

as in the days of Gibeah
This reference to Gibeah recalls the events in Judges 19-21, where the men of Gibeah committed a heinous crime against a Levite's concubine, leading to civil war and near destruction of the tribe of Benjamin. The mention of Gibeah serves as a historical parallel, highlighting the severity of Israel's current sins. It underscores the idea that the nation has reverted to a time of lawlessness and moral chaos, similar to the period of the Judges when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

He will remember their guilt
The phrase indicates that God is fully aware of Israel's transgressions and holds them accountable. In biblical terms, "remembering" often implies action based on past deeds. This is not a passive recollection but an active acknowledgment that leads to divine judgment. It contrasts with God's promise to "remember no more" the sins of those who repent (Jeremiah 31:34), emphasizing the unrepentant state of Israel.

He will punish their sins
This statement affirms the certainty of divine retribution. God's justice demands that sin be addressed, and punishment is a consequence of persistent disobedience. The punishment is not arbitrary but a fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28 for those who forsake God's law. It serves as a warning and a call to repentance, reminding the people of the seriousness of their rebellion against God. This also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and redemption through Jesus Christ, who bore the punishment for sin on behalf of humanity (Isaiah 53:5).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hosea
A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope.

2. Gibeah
A city in the territory of Benjamin, infamous for the moral corruption and violence described in Judges 19-21.

3. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, often rebuked by prophets for idolatry and moral decay.

4. God
The sovereign Lord who judges sin but also offers redemption.

5. Judgment
The divine response to Israel's persistent sinfulness, as exemplified by the reference to Gibeah.

Teaching Points

The Depth of Corruption
Israel's corruption is likened to the days of Gibeah, indicating a profound moral decay. This serves as a warning against allowing sin to take root in our lives.

God's Memory of Sin
God does not forget unrepented sin. This underscores the importance of seeking forgiveness and living a life of repentance.

Consequences of Sin
Just as God promised to punish Israel's sins, there are consequences for our actions. We must be mindful of living in obedience to God's commands.

Historical Lessons
The reference to Gibeah reminds us to learn from history. The Bible provides examples of what happens when people turn away from God.

Call to Repentance
Hosea's message is ultimately one of hope through repentance. We are called to turn back to God and seek His mercy.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does the reference to Gibeah in Hosea 9:9 reveal about the severity of Israel's sin?

2. How can we apply the lessons from Israel's history to our personal lives today?

3. In what ways does the concept of God remembering iniquity challenge or comfort you?

4. How do the events in Judges 19-21 serve as a warning for contemporary society?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living in a way that is pleasing to God and avoiding the pitfalls of moral corruption?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Judges 19-21
The events at Gibeah, where a horrific crime led to civil war in Israel, serve as a historical backdrop for Hosea's reference.

Isaiah 1:4
Similar themes of corruption and rebellion against God, highlighting the need for repentance.

Amos 5:12
Amos also speaks of the multitude of Israel's transgressions, emphasizing God's awareness of their sins.

Romans 1:28-32
Paul describes the deep corruption of humanity when they turn away from God, paralleling Israel's condition.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Paul reminds believers that the events of the Old Testament serve as examples and warnings for us today.

Sermons

Corrupting Forms of Wickedness	George Hutcheson.	Hosea 9:9
The Lessons of an Old Story	Jeremiah Burroughs.	Hosea 9:9
The Assyrian Captivity	C. Jerdan	Hosea 9:1-9
Gibeah and Baal-Peor	J. Orr	Hosea 9:9, 10

People

Baalpeor, Hosea

Places

Assyria, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Gibeah, Gilgal, Memphis

Topics

Corrupted, Corruption, Corruptly, Deep, Deeply, Depravity, Evil, Gibeah, Gib'e-ah, Iniquity, Inspect, Mind, Punish, Punishment, Remember, Sins, Themselves, Visit, Wickedness, Wrongdoing

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Hosea 9:9

6130 corruption

Library

Of Councils and their Authority.
1. The true nature of Councils. 2. Whence the authority of Councils is derived. What meant by assembling in the name of Christ. 3. Objection, that no truth remains in the Church if it be not in Pastors and Councils. Answer, showing by passages from the Old Testament that Pastors were often devoid of the spirit of knowledge and truth. 4. Passages from the New Testament showing that our times were to be subject to the same evil. This confirmed by the example of almost all ages. 5. All not Pastors who …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Earliest Chapters in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: The nature of inspiration] Since the days of the Greek philosophers the subject of inspiration and revelation has been fertile theme for discussion and dispute among scholars and theologians. Many different theories have been advanced, and ultimately abandoned as untenable. In its simplest meaning and use, inspiration describes the personal influence of one individual upon the mind and spirit of another. Thus we often say, "That man inspired me." What we are or do under the influence …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

John's Introduction.
^D John I. 1-18. ^d 1 In the beginning was the Word [a title for Jesus peculiar to the apostle John], and the Word was with God [not going before nor coming after God, but with Him at the beginning], and the Word was God. [Not more, not less.] 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him [the New Testament often speaks of Christ as the Creator--see ver. 10; I. Cor. viii. 6; Col. i. 13, 17; Heb. i. 2]; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. [This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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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