Monday 28 January 2013

Background

The eighth-century prophet Hosea is probably best known for hismarriage to the prostitute Gomer, which functioned as a propheticallegory of God's relationship to the northern kingdom of Israel(Hosea chapters 1-3). Just as the prophet'smarriage to Gomer was followed by her adultery, so God'sfaithfulness to Israel is followed by Israel's spiritual infidelity- though, in both cases, a future restoration takes place.

By the time we reach chapter 4 of Hosea, prophetic wordhas replaced prophetic sign, and Hosea identifies idolatry as thechief cause of Israel's faithlessness. In Israel (also referred toas Ephraim), this took the form of worshipping local gods known asBaals at places such as Gilgal and Bethel (described by Hosea asBeth-aven, the 'house-of-wickedness'). The language of "whoredom"associated with idolatry may be offensive to modern ears, butemphasises that Israel's worship of false gods violated theirintimacy with God. For the prophet, nothing could be worse thanrejecting the love of God in favour of dead idols. 

The use of shepherding imagery emphasises God's care forIsrael (verse 16). The Lord desires to lead the people into a broadpasture, but the flock are stubborn and prefer the narrow pasturesof idolatry. The reference to drinking and "sexual orgies" (v. 18)relates to elements in the worship of the Baals, including sacredprostitution.

In chapter 5, Hosea focuses his indictment on the leadersof Israel, including its "priests" (v. 1). By encouraging theworship of other gods, they have led the people astray. The Lordallows no rivals, and so 'seeking the Lord' while worshipping idolsis worthless. It is impossible to serve two masters.

To Ponder

• Why does the prophet see 'spiritual idolatry' as so dangerous? 

• What idols demand worship in twenty first-century Britain?