“Every evil of theirs is in Gilgal; there I began to hate them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more; all their princes are rebels.” (Hosea 9:15)
Admittedly, some of the statements in this chapter stretch me. “I will love them no more” is the most challenging, to be sure. However, I must remember that the lens through which I must look at all of Hosea is God’s command to love his wife Gomer, who continually went to other men, much as Israel is doing with the pagan deities.
The rings of context are: What do we see in 1) the verse, 2) the chapter, 3) the book, 4) the Old Testament, 5) specific New Testament reference(s) to this verse, and 5) the New Testament as a whole.
The reference to Gilgal is important. I’m focusing on the name because there are a few Gilgals in the Bible. The name Gilgal should have reminded Israel of their covenant with God. Gilgal was the first campground Israel used after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. There, the men were circumcised, the priests set up the stones of remembrance, and the nation observed Passover. Gilgal was the place of consecration for this adventure of living in the land.
Now the name Gilgal is associated with Israel’s wickedness. I’m amazed at how sin can turn beautiful things ugly. Not just for Israel. But also for me.
Lord, please help me to walk faithfully before you so that the beautiful things you have given me remain beautiful. Amen.
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