As the old adage goes, “Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.” Such is true of Bible history as well. In fact, the examples of Israel are recorded in Holy Writ “…for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11b). The people of God during Hosea’s day had left all that was good and right, and they quickly spiraled out of control. Hosea’s message was primarily to the northern kingdom known as Israel. That nation was on the brink of being carried away and spread abroad by the wicked Assyrian army. God was going to use Assyria to defeat Israel because Israel had collapsed morally, spiritually and religiously. Hosea’s message was surely written “for our admonition” today.
Israel had collapsed morally. The morality and godly principles that the northern kingdom should have followed were swept away and overtaken by sin and moral depravation. Immorality included adultery (Hosea 7:4), alcohol (Hosea 7:5) and abominable leaders (Hosea 7:6-7; 8:4). So much was this immorality present that God affirmed that the “whole land” had left Him (Hosea 1:2; 4:1-3). Israel stands as a serious reminder, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34)!
Israel had collapsed spiritually. Not only was the “world” depraved during Hosea’s time, but even many of them that were God’s children had forsaken Him (Hosea 7:13-16). The people of God had become complacent and slothful regarding their own salvation (Hosea 7:13), regarding their strength (Hosea 7:14) and even regarding their substance (Hosea 7:15). Complacency is always a danger and a threat to God’s people (Revelation 3:15-16), and as such, surely Israel stands as a warning to us today!
Israel had collapsed religiously. Part of the horrific sins of which Israel was guilty was not only sins of “commission” but also sins of “omission.” Not only did those people commit abominable acts, but they also compromised and left undone righteous things. Israel was to be a separate people (Exodus 19:5-6). They were to conquer and have no covenants with foreigners (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). However, in this they failed miserably! Israel had blended in with those around them (Hosea 7:8), and even boasted about it (Hosea 7:10). Surely distinctiveness is what God expected then and now. We, as God’s elect today, must act before it is too late!
Sadly, Israel’s sins doomed her to death and destruction! God set before the citizens of that nation life and death (Deuteronomy 30:19), but many chose death. Today, many in the kingdom of Christ (the church) are in equal peril of collapse and will surely be assigned death and destruction if they refuse God (Romans 11:20-21). The warning is clear; how will we react? We need not make the same mistakes as Israel of old did, because, “…all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Let’s act before it’s too late!
