June 4, 2023
Hosea 4:1-19
“Stupid is as Stupid Does”
Service Overview: Those who reject knowledge, reap what grows in the soil of stupidity. Israel had rejected the knowledge of God which naturally led to the corruption and degeneration of their society.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1 (NIV)
Background Insights:
- The language used here implies that God has entered into an argument or quarrel with Israel. Perhaps we should think of a lawsuit, such as was carried out at the gates of the city. (D. A. Carson, New Bible Commentary, 770)
- The priest, more than anyone else, was the preserver of the traditions of Israel. He was the guardian of the Torah, in which was enshrined the knowledge of God. This fact Hosea emphasizes in 4:6d, where “the law of God” (torah) is paralleled with “knowledge” in v. 6b. (H. D. Beeby, Grace abounding: A Commentary on the Book of Hosea, 53)
- When Jeroboam I set up his own religious system in Israel, many of the true priests fled to Judah; so the king ordained priests of his own choosing (2 Chron. 11:13–15). Of course, these counterfeit priests knew neither the Lord nor His law. They were primarily interested in having an easy job that would provide them with food, clothing, and pleasure, especially opportunities to be with the shrine prostitutes. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 1398)
- One of the main attractions of Baalism, and of baalized Yahwism, was sacred prostitution. It persisted in Israel until the fall of the two kingdoms. Hosea blamed the men for it and exonerated the women (4:13-14). This imbalance of blame may have been a bit extreme, but it was basically fair in a society dominated by males. (James M. Ward, Amos, Hosea, 65)
- Women were not only chattels to be disposed of more or less at will, but they had become the raw material of a production line which turned them from human beings into things. Thus humiliated, they served the lusts of men and became the sacrificial victims of both a religion and an economy. (H. D. Beeby, Grace abounding: A Commentary on the Book of Hosea, 56)
- In Canaanite religion, sacred prostitution was thought to be a means of ensuring fertility for the land. It is likely that the idea of ‘imitative magic’ lies behind the practice: intercourse with a ‘sacred prostitute’ brought about some similar action between the gods of nature, and resulted in the land’s bringing forth fruit. (D. A. Carson, New Bible Commentary, 771)
- In the Hebrew, the word for “knowledge,” as we have seen in our exposition of Hosea 2:20, has the same root as “to know.” It also is used for the physical and spiritual oneness of a husband and wife. Knowledge of God is more than ideas about Him. Knowledge of God involves the total inner person: intellect, emotion, and will. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, 62)
What’s vital to see and ponder regarding the condition of Israel in Hosea 4?
- How rejection of God’s law bred rampant immorality.
(vv. 1-3, 6, 10b, 12, et. al. | Romans 1:18-32; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21)
The standard by which Hosea was judging Israel was not an ethic of perfection but merely one of basic human decency. He was referring to breaches of a minimal code of morality to which all reasonable people would subscribe. Therefore, his outrage was understandable. (Ward, 63)
Hosea was called to prophesy to Israel because this quality of life was lacking. The sins of the nation and of individuals came from the absence of it. Truth and mercy were lost because it had been neglected. The people were being destroyed because they had rejected it. (Ogilvie, 62)
- How failure to know God resulted in the failure of society.
(vv. 6, 10, 14, 19, et. al. | Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Romans 1:18-32; Galatians 4:8)
Outward violations of personal relationships bespeak an inward deficiency of commitment or understanding. (Ward, 62)
What you are when you are alone with God, that you are – and nothing more. You may make a great show of love and faith in church, singing like Pavarotti or attracting the masses to your profound Sunday school lectures. But if there is no private communion between you and Jesus – frequent and deep communion – then your religion is worthless. (Kris Lundgaard, The Enemy Within, 119)
Knowledge, as it is used in the Old Testament, is more experiential than intellectual. It is a warm, intimate term. Know is used to picture sexual intercourse between a husband and his wife (Gen. 4:1,17,25). Here “knowledge of God” means intimate knowledge of God’s revealed will in the law (v. 1). (Billy K. Smith, Layman’s Bible Book Commentary, Vol. 13, 24)
- How spiritual exploitation served only to deepen Israel’s corruption.
(vv. 4, 5, 7-9, 18 | Deut. 23:17-18; Proverbs 29:27; Isaiah 5:20-21; 61:8; 2 Peter 2:3)
When people reject God’s covenant, they begin to exploit each other, for the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship with our neighbor as well as with the Lord. (Wiersbe, Be Amazed: Minor Prophets, 27)
“Forgotten” is more than a mental lapse. It includes a deliberate turning away from and forsaking someone (Isa. 49:14). “Law of your God” means the teaching, principles, or revelation of God. How could a priest forget God’s instruction for life (Deut. 32:47)? To teach the law of God was his primary duty. Neglect of this duty made the priest responsible for the destruction of God’s people. (Smith, 26)
- How stubbornness in these matters prevented any hope of change.
(v. 16 | 1 Sam. 15:23; Ps. 81:11-12 ; Prov. 29:1; Acts 7:51; Romans 2:5; Galatians 5:19-21)
Until people experience the guilt of conviction, they can’t enjoy the glory of conversion. (Wiersbe, Be Amazed: Minor Prophets, 26)
Without a knowledge of God there is no inner peace, no cure for restlessness, no guidance for daily pressures, no absolutes for moral rectitude, no certainty in life or death. (Ogilvie, 69)
Conclusion… What principles might this hold out for us to consider?
A. Where virtues are scarce, vices abound.
(Mark 7:20-23; 1 Cor. 10:13 Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5 ; 1 Thes. 4:3-5; 1 John 2:15-17)
Society set free from God is its own worst enemy. (Robert Mounce, Revelation, 274)
Sin destroys everything it touches. It destroys the glory of God. It distorts individual happiness. It corrupts families. It divides churches. It is like rat poison. It smells and looks good, but it ultimately kills its victim. Although sin often brings short-term pleasure, if not atoned for, it terminates in infinite pain. (William Farley, Gospel-Powered Parenting, 79)
B. Spiritual success comes from knowing God, not just knowing about him.
(Psalm 119:10; Jeremiah 9:23-24; John 17:3; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 4:6-7)
Repentance is a costly call to fundamentally say no to who you are (in your sin) in order to find an entirely new identity in who He is. (David Platt, Counter Culture, 177)
There is nothing more important [than the knowledge of God]. With it life is sublime; without it there is constant stress. (Ogilvie, 61)
C. Knowing God results in action stemming from transformation.
(Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 2:4; 1 John 5:3)
So often we try to develop Christian character and conduct without taking the time to develop God-centered devotion. We try to please God without taking the time to walk with Him and develop a relationship with Him. This is impossible to do. (Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness, 14)
Where love is the compelling power, there is no sense of strain or conflict or bondage in doing what is right: the man or woman who is compelled by Jesus’ love and empowered by His Spirit does the will of God from the heart. (F.F. Bruce, Paul – Apostle of the Heart Set Free, 21)
Gospel Connection…
Jesus died so that we might know him, and make him known.
(John 14:6; John 17:3; Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 8:3; Ephesians 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:15)
This means much more than knowledge about God; it refers to a personal knowledge of God. The Hebrew word describes a husband’s most intimate relationship with his wife (Gen. 4:1; 19:8). To know God is to have a personal relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ (John 17:3). (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 1398)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- In what ways does our nation reflect the nation of Israel at the time of Hosea’s writing? What do you think got us here?
- What would need to happen in order for our nation to return to the values and virtues it was founded upon? What would need to happen for it to ultimately turn to God in Christ Jesus?
- How can we maintain faithfulness to God and his commands in light of a culture that regularly makes examples of those who promote his truth?
- How well do you know God personally? Are you spending time with him and his people? In what ways is your relationship with each other growing? What could you change or tweak in your life to help deepen your relationship with God; seeking to know him on a deeper level?
Quotes to note…
Verse 14 concludes with a proverb cited to illustrate that a heedless people will come to ruin. It is corporate judgment portrayed for a nation without discernment. (J. Andrew Dearman, The Book of Hosea, 166)
H.G. Wells said, “Civilization is in a race between education and catastrophe.” Hosea would put it differently: We are in a race between knowledge of God and catastrophe. (Ogilvie, 63)
When you obey God’s Word, you walk in the light and don’t stumble (Prov. 3:21–26; 4:14–19), but when you reject the Word, you walk in the darkness and can’t find your way (Isa. 8:20). (Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 1398)
A permissive society — allows lots of things but it will not permit criticism. (Kevin Logan, What is Love?, 38)
Infidelity is rooted in the disposition of the heart. (James M. Ward, Hosea, 62)
Not to know God is not to be left godless; it is to make all things “god-able.” To lose faith in God does not make one faithless; it makes one ready to believe in anything. (H. D. Beeby, Grace Abounding, 55)
Pop theologies baptize the longings of sinful hearts: health and wealth, significance and security, self-esteem, power to get what you want. But the Holy Spirit is in the business of changing what you want. (David Powlison, Seeing With New Eyes, 219)
The only reason integrity should be a burden to you is if you enjoy being dishonest. (Sam Storms, Pleasures Evermore, 236)
All caricatures of God which ignore His intense hatred for sin reveal more about man than about God. In a moral universe God must of necessity oppose evil. (Robert Mounce, Revelation, 1295)
The human heart has so many crannies where vanity hides, so many holes where falsehood lurks, is so decked out with deceiving hypocrisy, that it often dupes itself. (John Calvin, A Calvin Treasury, Christianity Today, v. 37, n. 4.)
Like the people of Israel to whom Hosea prophesied, truth and mercy (faithfulness and kindness), as well as social righteousness are missing because we do not know God. (Ogilvie, 62)
God hath but three things dear unto Him in this world, His saints, His worship, and His truth; and it is hard to say which of these is dearest unto Him. (Thomas Goodwin, A Puritan Golden Treasury, 301)
A change in behavior requires a change of heart. (Ward, 66)
To know and not to obey is a contradiction in terms. Knowledge of the God of the Exodus that permits rebellion against his will is tantamount to idolatry. (Beeby, 53)
