I was reading in Hosea scripture the other day and came across this one in chapter 4 which it caused me to reflect upon our own nation who claims to be a grafted in nation with Israel. When allowing my thoughts to proceed I drew a conclusion I wish to share and get some feedback on. I was unable to find a reason that the United States should escape the same punishment that Israel had if we do not repent like those of Nineveh did when Jonah brought correction.
Hosea 4
Hosea 4:1 Listen to the word of YHVH, O sons of Israel, For YHVH has a case against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no faithfulness or kindness Or knowledge of God in the land. 2There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. 3 Therefore the land mourns, And everyone who lives in it languishes Along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky; And also the fish of the sea disappear. 4 Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof; For your people are like those who contend with the priest. 5 So you will stumble by day, And the prophet also will stumble with you by night; And I will destroy your mother. 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. 7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. 8 They feed on the sin of My people, And direct their desire toward their iniquity. 9 And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways, And repay them for their deeds. 10 And they will eat, but not have enough; They will play the harlot, but not increase, Because they have stopped giving heed to YHVH. 11 Harlotry, wine, and new wine take away the understanding. 12 My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them; For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, And they have played the harlot, departing from their God. 13 They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains And burn incense on the hills, Under oak, poplar, and terebinth, Because their shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters play the harlot, And your brides commit adultery. 14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your brides when they commit adultery, For the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes; So the people without understanding are ruined. 15 Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to Gilgal, Or go up to Beth-aven, And take the oath: “As YHVH lives!” 16 Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can YHVH now pasture them Like a lamb in a large field? 17 Ephraim is joined to idols; Let him alone. 18 Their liquor gone, They play the harlot continually; Their rulers dearly love shame. 19 The wind wraps them in its wings, And they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices. (Hos 4:1-19 NAS)
In review of a few verses that popped out at me and keeping them in context let’s take a closer look based upon the decisions our country’s leadership has made on our behalf.
In verses one through three we read that Israel had lost faithfulness, kindness and knowledge of God in their land. Adding to this, as a direct result from removing YHVH from the country, they have swearing (placing curses), lying, murder, theft and adultery. Bloodshed is overwhelming. Think about the abortions that have been legalized in our nation and the other abominations that are in the process of being legalized.
Note also that due to this removal of God, the land morns and now-a-days we have birds falling from the sky in mass numbers and fish dying and washing up on shore in innumerable quantities. We now call good evil and evil good. What is the next step that our heavenly Father must follow?
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.8 They feed on the sin of My people, And direct their desire toward their iniquity.9 And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways, And repay them for their deeds.
We as a nation have embraced the knowledge of men over the knowledge of God. We were to be a kingdom of kings and priests but now we are going to be rejected.
The word Priest in Hebrew is כּהן kahan {kaw-han’} meaning covers:
1) to act as a priest, minister in a priest’s office 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to minister as a priest, serve as a priest 1a2) to be or become a priest 1a3) to play the priest
This would mean a rejection of the ministers, pastors, reverends and other church leaders that have “forgotten the law of you God.” Therefore YHVH will also forget our children.
I think it is time for us to understand the meanings of scripture from the Hebrew perspective instead of what the greedy church leaders want us to believe from their doctrine. We have rejected the Law and are being rejected ourselves.
Why is it that we accept the Tithe and fight to keep the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament, but selectively choose what to accept. To our own demise we don’t follow first ten commands shouted down to us at Mt. Sinai? Who does that make sense too? Paul (or the Hebrews writer) wrote in Hebrews chapter 12:
For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them. (Heb 12:18-19 NAS)
We begged not to hear one more word of his thundering voice, so our loving Father stopped after the first ten and spoke to Moses only after we promised to obey what Moses brings back to us.
An accounting is coming and a courtroom will be convened. You will be presenting your case of beliefs and actions before the Author of the Commands… Are you ready to stand upon what your pastor teaches?
