Monday 09 June 2008

Background

A lot of Hosea's writing expresses his frustration and evenanger with the people of Israel. The prophet suggests that theyfail in their religious practices and in their social and politicallife. He expresses God's love and God's promises for them. HoweverHosea calls the people faithless and corrupt, and longs for them toreturn to God's way.

The altars and pillars should have been set up to help the peoplein their worship of God. Instead, they are being used to celebratehuman achievements and the worship of self. Worship ritual shouldhave offered the fruits of success to God, but these are now beingused against God. God's instructions both for worship and livingare being ignored.

In Hosea's time the country was divided between the north and thesouth. Ephraim is the name for half of the tribe of Joseph - (theother half was called Manasseh) and was regarded as representingthe northern kingdom, also called Israel. Judah (another of thesons of Jacob) was the name of the southern kingdom, and Hoseaaccuses both of turning away from God as though they can becomegreat on their own. (Though he is slightly kinder to Judah!)

'This turning away will be punished!' threatens Hosea. The idea ofa return to Egypt is more than the threat of a return to slavery.More importantly, the time in Egypt was before their salvationhistory, when the story of walking with God really began. Hosea isdamning them to a worthless future - to complete destruction,separated from God.

To Ponder

How does it feel to hear the suggestion that Godis enraged by the people's behaviour? Are there actions in oursociety which would give rise to the same condemnation? What do youthink they are?

What do we do with guilt? And what are ourresponsibilities? Do you think guilt might be like adrenalin -designed to trigger action?