1 Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
2 And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.
3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.
4 They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.
5 And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity: Judah also shall fall with them.
6 They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.
7 They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.
8 Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.
9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.
10 The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
11 Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
12 Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
14 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.
15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
Chapter 5 of the Book of Hosea in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a continuation of the prophet Hosea's prophecies against the northern kingdom of Israel and its leaders. This chapter focuses on the spiritual decline of both Israel and Judah, and their subsequent punishment by God. It is a chapter that emphasizes the themes of sin, judgment, and the consequences of spiritual apostasy.
The chapter begins with an admonishment to the priests and the royal house of Israel, and the people of the kingdom as a whole. Hosea, speaking for God, accuses them of being a snare and a net spread upon Mizpah and Tabor, two mountainous regions in Israel. These locations are symbolic of the places where the people of Israel have been worshipping idols, indulging in pagan rituals and practices that are contrary to the worship of Yahweh, the one true God.
Hosea highlights the extent of Israel's transgressions, pointing out that their deeds do not escape the notice of God. He states, "I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me" (Hosea 5:3). Ephraim here is a symbolic name for the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophet underscores that God's knowledge of their sins is complete and that they cannot hide from His divine scrutiny.
Hosea further elaborates on the nature of Israel's sins. They are not merely acts of individual transgression but have become a collective way of life. The spirit of whoredom, a metaphor for idolatry, has led them astray, and they have left their God to serve other gods and engage in practices that are an abomination to Yahweh.
The prophet then announces the inevitable consequence of Israel's apostasy: divine judgment. He warns that God's wrath will descend upon them, and even though they seek Him, they will not find Him. This is a stark reminder of the severity of God's justice. It's a powerful message that while God is merciful, His mercy is not without limit, and persistent sin will ultimately lead to judgment.
Hosea also warns Judah, the southern kingdom, not to follow the path of Israel. However, he prophesies that Judah will also fall into sin and face God's judgement. This highlights the pervasive nature of sin, and how it can spread and lead even the righteous astray.
In the latter part of the chapter, Hosea presents a picture of Israel seeking help from Assyria, a foreign power. However, this attempt to seek human help in times of divine judgment is portrayed as futile. Hosea prophesies that Assyria will not be able to save them, and their efforts to secure peace and security will be in vain. This underscores the futility of human effort without repentance and a return to God.
The chapter ends with a somber note, with God declaring that He will return to His place until Israel acknowledges their guilt and seeks His face. This suggests a withdrawal of God's presence and favor, a severe consequence for their persistent sin.
Several themes are evident in this chapter. The first is the theme of sin and its consequences. Hosea vividly describes the depth of Israel's sin, and how it has become a part of their collective identity. It is a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin, and how it can lead to spiritual decay and separation from God.
The second theme is the inevitability of divine judgment. Hosea makes it clear that persistent sin will not go unpunished. This is a powerful reminder of God's justice, and the seriousness with which He regards sin. It serves as a warning to the reader to examine their own lives and to repent of any sin before it leads to judgment.
The third theme is the futility of human effort without repentance. Israel's attempt to seek help from Assyria is portrayed as futile, demonstrating that human solutions are inadequate in the face of divine judgment. This theme serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and a return to God.
Hosea Chapter 5 is a powerful commentary on the consequences of turning away from God and pursuing a path of sin. It serves as a warning to all readers about the seriousness of sin and the importance of maintaining a faithful relationship with God. Despite the harshness of the judgment, the underlying message is one of hope. God's desire is not to punish but to lead His people to repentance and restoration. The chapter ends with the possibility of repentance and a return to God's favor, making it clear that while God's justice is severe, His mercy and His desire for reconciliation with His people are greater.
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