“My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the whore. They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is good. Therefore, your daughters play the whore, and your brides commit adultery. I will not punish your daughters when they play the whore, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for the men themselves go aside with prostitutes and sacrifice with cult prostitutes, and a people without understanding shall come to ruin.” (Hosea 4:12-14)

This is raw. God outlines the problem and the results in plain language. First, he describes the spiritual adultery that leads to physical adultery. Enquiring of sorcerers and sacrificing to idols has real world effects. So does going to prostitutes for worldly pleasure and for “worship.” 

Notice that the behavior of the dads and husbands influences the behavior of the daughters and wives. And God said He would not punish the ladies. (This seems to be an isolated instance.)

The effects, though, are not just for a family, but for the nation. “A people without understanding shall come to ruin.” (14)

Remember: This is what led to the Assyrian invasion and exile. 

Father, help me to see that my sin has a greater impact than on my family alone. Help to guard my heart. Amen.

“And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.” (Hosea 2:8)

The imagery in this chapter is impactful, and this verse is devastatingly powerful. Using the imagery of marital unfaithfulness, God paints a picture for Israel to help Israel realize her unfaithfulness. 

What makes this verse painful is the personal disconnect. One party is supplying everything – grain, wine, oil, silver, and gold – and the other party is squandering it on idolatry. 

Imagine a divorced man living in poverty to pay child support to his ex and her new husband, and all that money being used to provide trips and hobbies for the ex’s husband and not the kids. In Hosea’s case, God has given Israel everything, and they are using those blessings to worship Baal! 

Before I slap Israel around, I need to look in the mirror. How many times have I wasted God’s blessings on worldly pleasures? Too many. 

Father, help me be more aware of how I spend your blessings. Help me remember that I go to work with the energy you provided. Amen.