A Covenantal Curse of War

Hosea 5:10-15

Hosea 5:10–15 NET

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers. I will pour out my rage on them like a torrential flood! Ephraim will be oppressed, crushed under judgment, because he was determined to pursue worthless idols. I will be like a moth to Ephraim, like wood rot to the house of Judah. When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah saw his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and begged its great king for help. But he will not be able to heal you! He cannot cure your wound! I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear them to pieces, then I will carry them off, and no one will be able to rescue them! Then I will return again to my lair until they have suffered their punishment. Then they will seek me; in their distress they will earnestly seek me.

Context

The political leaders of Judah have decided to remove the boundary markers. In verse 8, the watchman has sounded the alarm for war, as he sees an approaching army coming to the nation of Israel. God is accusing the political leaders of Israel of leading the people astray and that the consequence of these decisions will be bringing disaster upon them.

Content

The initial battle will occur from within. Israel will experience hardships and revolution from within their nation. Their nation will erode and then be attacked from outside forces.

Intent

It seems that God’s intention is to use Israel as example of what happens and will happen to nations when they remove the boundaries of God, and turn to others for safety and security. God will respond in the same manner by which mankind has responded to Him. Furthermore, God’s intent is not destruction but repentance. He presents that warning to Israel and calls for them to avoid destruction and death by simply changing course.

Circumstance

Decisions have consequences, and the leaders of Israel have decided to remove God from their nation and worship idols. They have rebelled against the commandments, specifically against the greatest, which is to Love the Lord your God with all your Head, Heart, and Hands. Israel has put idols before God, money before God, and now health before God. The time of grace is coming to an end for the nation of Israel.

Situation

The court is set, God is accusing the nation of Israel of sin. He is informing them that execution of law is about to commence. This execution will begin with an internal destruction that will lead to external removal. At the end of this passage, the nation of Israel will have an opportunity to respond.

Bridging the Gap

A great parallel exists today. Ever election we are face with making a decision of the direction that this nation will take. At this moment, we have two very different policy makers that are running for office. We can choose to remove the boundaries that have been set, choose to remove the fabric that has been crafted, at which we too will find ourselves in the same predicaments that Israel found herself in long ago. We can also learn from Israel and choose to repent, take up our cross, and choose those who which to uphold the moral, social, and civil fabrics of this nation. The choice is pretty easy more government and less God, or less government and more God. Who and what will choose this day to serve?