Hosea 5 - Introduction

Israel Had Been Wicked

-- Hosea Five --

Hosea five pictures God's prophecy of destruction and punishment against the Northern Kingdom known as Israel. These people are sometimes called Ephraim. The priests, rulers and the people had committed spiritual whoredom against God. Hear the words of Hosea 5:3, "I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled." Their spiritual idolatry had led them far away from their Creator and had even had a negative impact on Judah. God had withdrawn Himself from them and now they would feel the consequences of their sinfulness. (Hosea 5:6)"Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke" and Judah could not escape her punishment. God said the punishment will come, "till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face." (Hosea 5:15) Israel went into Assyrian captivity in 721 B.C. to face the consequences of their wickedness. Sin had overtaken the house of Israel. They were full of pride. They sought the Lord with their flocks and herds but not with their heart. Now they must deal with the result of their idolatry. "Therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them."

God gave these people the opportunity to repent but they were unwilling to change. Their punishment came slowly like a moth or like rottenness. It would take the rod of correction to cause Israel to seek the Lord. God said, "For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him." (Hosea 5:14)