I am preaching thematic overview sermons on each of the Minor Prophets through the summer months. I began with Hosea: Love That Will Not Let Go (Click to Listen to the Sermon), which emphasizes the love of God and the ultimate expression of His love in the Lord Jesus Christ. A subplot of Hosea stood out strongly to me while I studied for the sermon. The book delivers some of the strongest rebukes of the priests in the entire Old Testament. They failed in their responsibilities and did not lead God’s people faithfully.
The priests rejected the knowledge of God and led the nation into ruin by failing to teach rightly.
Hosea 4 4 But let no one dispute; let no one argue, for my case is against you priests. 5 You will stumble by day; the prophet will also 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 will reject you from serving as my priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.
The priests were as corrupt as the people and led them into sin by their own behavior.
Hosea 4 7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against me. I will change their honor into disgrace. 8They feed on the sin of my people; they have an appetite for their iniquity. 9The same judgment will happen to both people and priests. I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
The priests benefited from the people, did not encourage repentance toward God, and selfishly allowed sin to continue, leading the people into idolatry.
Hosea 4 12 My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of promiscuity leads them astray; they act promiscuously in disobedience to their God. 13They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and they burn offerings on the hills, and under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters act promiscuously and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.
The priests acted like criminals rather than God’s servants.
Hosea 6 9Like raiders who wait in ambush for someone, a band of priests murders on the road to Shechem. They commit atrocities.
God made it clear they would face severe judgment for their sins. God expects true worship from His servants.
Hosea 6 6For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Spiritual leadership requires faithfulness, and leading God’s people in faithfulness to Him. May we not abandon our calling for something temporary, or less than the glory of God.
Hosea 14 9Let whoever is wise understand these things, and whoever is insightful recognize them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
