Hosea Article #7
Chapter 5
We ended our previous chapter by pointing out that “To know of God is not the same as knowing God.” This is the circumstance surrounding Israel (northern kingdom) and the essence of Hosea 5. The very first verse in chapter 5 makes this quite clear. “Hear this, O priests! Pay attention, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For the judgment is for you.” Priests, house of Israel, house of the king…it is the leadership to 
which Hosea is laying the blame for falling away from KNOWING God to knowing of God. Instead of God it is plural as in multiple gods. In any group setting, the leadership sets the tone of culture, worship, language, group focus, and public expression (today known as political correctness). God Jehovah through Hosea is putting the finger of his judgment responsibility upon these leaders. It is a group think scenario in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jamison-Fausset-Brown Commentary points out why Israel fell away from God.
“ [King] Jeroboam thought it a profound piece of policy to set up golden calves to represent God in Dan and Beth-el, in order to prevent Israel’s heart from turning again to David’s line by going up to Jerusalem to worship.
Three major issues are exposed here in verse 2.
- Jeroboam had just become the first king of the northern Kingdom after the 10 tribe split from the nation of Israel.
- Golden calves (idols) were set up in the territory of *Dan; one of the Israeli tribes to originally split from their Joshua assigned land within the nation of Israel. Many of those from the Tribe of Dan moved to the north of the kingdom after conquering Laish. They renamed it Dan of Bashan.
- Verse 2 does not state it, but in this chapter we read the name Ephraim many times. King Jeroboam was from the Tribe of Ephraim. Some historians refer to the Kingdom of Israel as the Kingdom of Ephraim [The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica]
- Space does not permit a full discussion of the anti-God character of the Danites. It is discussed in several other articles within this website. When they decided to pull out of their Joshua-assigned territory, they took with them a priest of their choice, idols of their choice, deliberately leaving the God of Israel behind.
JIV BIBLE HISTORY NOTE: The name Ephraim and Israel are specifically and individually mentioned Hosea 5:4. The Tribe of Ephraim has always been a leader within this northern kingdom. Recall the bible history of Elijah, King Ahab, and Jezebel in 1 Kings 18. King Ahab of this northern kingdom was also from the Tribe of Ephraim. When Ahab married Jezebel he created an unholy alliance with the King of Sidon, Jezebel’s father. Her country worshipped Baal and Ashera and Israel was beginning to do the same. The size and strength of the Tribe of Ephraim and its name are sometimes synonymous when discussing or identifying the northern kingdom. Kingdom of Israel has also been identified as the Kingdom of Samaria.
Hosea 5:4 is simple…The distinctions between Ephraim and Israel is eliminated with the use of the words “permit THEM.” This means Hosea now addresses all within the Northern Kingdom. [ESV] “Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God.” This verse is just as applicable today as it was in the 8th century B.C. Those who have a religion in no way means s/he serves God. As we said on the first page…“To know of God is not the same as knowing God.” Many back in the 8th century B.C. Israel, as is true today in the 21st century, are religious. Hosea 5:4 is an indictment to Israel 9eventually Judah) and the religious of today.
Knowing God – Know His Word
Do not permit them? They are not true believers of YHWY. They know of God and many other gods but no longer know (yadda) God. Elijah and Elijah had already prophesied to the northern kingdom some 100 years earlier.
The final prophets to the northern kingdom:
870 – 850 B.C. Prophet Elijah
850 – 800 B.C. Prophet Elisha
750 – 745 B.C. Prophets Amos and Hosea
721 B.C. is the fall of Israel to Assyria.
In Hosea 5:5 we find many warnings that include Judah to the south of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This continues through 5:14. …until they acknowledge their offence — The Hebrew is, “till they suffer the penalty of their guilt and repent.” Sadly, this is still the status quo today. It will take the Tribulation to drive Israelis to finally acknowledging God and his son Jesus, the Messiah.
Jstark
May 2020
850 – 800 B.C. Prophet Elisha
750 – 745 B.C. Prophets Amos and Hosea
721 B.C. is the fall of Israel to Assyria.
In Hosea 5:5 we find many warnings that include Judah to the south of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This continues through 5:14.
“…until they acknowledge their offence — The Hebrew is, “till they suffer the penalty of their guilt and repent.” Sadly, this is still the status quo today. It will take the Tribulation to drive Israelis to finally acknowledging God and his son Jesus, the Messiah.
Jstark
May 2020
AHA Bible Moments 