Covenant Transgressors I. Base Text: Hosea 6:1-7:16 II. Context A. Hosea 1:1: word of YHWH to Hosea in days of Uzziah through Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and Jeroboam (II) king of Israel (ca. 800-722 BCE) 1. The “calm before the storm”: Jeroboam ruled over a politically and economically prosperous Israel (ca. 789-752 BCE; 2 Kings 14:23-29) 2. His son Zechariah would be assassinated; Israel would endure five kings in 30 years, and only one died naturally (ca. 752-722 BCE; 2 Kings 15:8-31, 17:1-6) 3. The Assyrians captured all but Samaria in 732 BCE; rump state eliminated in 722 BCE 4. Hosea warns the people in a time of prosperity which would soon turn to destruction; he would live to see it all play out B. Hosea and Gomer, YHWH and Israel (Hosea 1:2-3:5) 1. YHWH calls Hosea to take a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom; his children as sign-acts indicating God’s coming judgment (Jezreel, No Mercy, Not My People; Hosea 1:1-9) 2. YHWH brings forth His charge against His adulterous wife Israel: she believed she received her produce from Baal when YHWH provided it; she lavished gifts on her lovers (idols); she did not give the service due to Him; He would come in judgment, and she would recognize her error (Hosea 2:1-13) 3. Yet YHWH would not abandon Israel: there would be hope for No Mercy and Not My People, and YHWH would restore Israel to Himself (Hosea 1:10-11, 2:14-23) 4. And so YHWH commands Hosea to love his wife again, just as YHWH will love Israel again (Hosea 3:1-5) C. YHWH’s Indictment and Judgment (Hosea 4:1-5:15) 1. YHWH proclaims His indictment: Israel is full of blood, destroyed by lack of knowledge, priests condemned, people as pagans (Hosea 4:1-19) 3. Judgment is rendered: Israel is saturated in idolatry, will be destroyed; they will seek YHWH, and He will not be there for them (Hosea 5:1-15) D. YHWH through Hosea continues His exhortations to His people Israel, the covenant transgressors (Hosea 6:1-7:16) III. Interpretation A. Returning to YHWH (Hosea 6:1-3) 1. In a moment of hope after the indictment and judgments of Hosea 4:1-5:16 Hosea envisions Israel seeking to return to YHWH 2. Confidence is expressed that as YHWH tore apart, He will now heal (Hosea 6:1) 3. After two days He will revive; He will raise up on the third day (Hosea 6:2) a. A frequent Hebraism: today, tomorrow as the second day, and then using the day after tomorrow, the third day, as a way of talking about the future (Exodus 19:11, Leviticus 19:6, 1 Samuel 20:12 -> Luke 13:32) b. Hezekiah healed on the third day (2 Kings 20:5, 12) c. Thus, in context, Hosea has future Israel maintain confidence that after a period of time in judgment YHWH will turn and restore His people d. And yet Hosea is also prophesying the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after being struck down (Matthew 16:21, Luke 9:22, etc.) 4. Israel should know and follow YHWH, for He is reliable (Hosea 6:3) a. YHWH as consistent as the rising sun b. YHWH as the latter rain, the rain that falls near the time of harvest to provide growth for crops B. Covenant Transgressors (Hosea 6:4-11) 1. Through Hosea YHWH now makes a rhetorical appeal: what to do with Israel and Judah? 2. The goodness of Israel and Judah as ephemeral: vanishes quickly whenever it appears, like the morning dew or cloud (Hosea 6:4) 3. And so YHWH has cut them down and killed them by the words from His mouth uttered by the prophets; His judgment goes forth as light (Hosea 6:5) a. The antecedent for Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 19:21 b. Likely basis of 2 Peter 1:21 4. Why this judgment? YHWH prefers goodness, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6) a. cf. 1 Samuel 15:22, Psalm 50:7-14, 51:16, Proverbs 21:3, Isaiah 1:11-17, Jeremiah 7:20-26, Amos 5:21-27 b. Many wish to suggest the prophets were against the sacrificial system and the Temple cult, but such claims are excessive c. Hosea’s message is neither absolute nor binary: the problem is that Israel made offerings but did not actually know God or live like it d. Jesus’ similar indictment of the Pharisees indicates the problem was quite pervasive in Israel (Matthew 9:13, 12:7) 5. Israel has not done so; like Adam they are covenant transgressors, and have acted treacherously against YHWH (Hosea 6:7) a. “Adam” could be just “man, humankind,” but unlikely; covenant is made with specific people, not generally b. And yet this is the one time that God’s communication with Adam is spoken of in terms of covenant (cf. Genesis 3:6, 11) c. Covenant: Hebrew b’rit, an agreement outlining a reciprocal relationship in the ancient Near Eastern world d. Often seen as “suzerain-vassal” treaty between stronger king and client king e. Marriage also as covenant (Malachi 2:14-16) f. Predominant means/metaphorical vehicle through which God interacts with humanity: as with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, all Israel, David, and now in Christ (cf. Hebrews 7:1-9:27) g. Covenant transgression as serious business with serious consequences! 6. The dire nature of the circumstances revealed: Gilead stained with blood, priests murder on road to Shechem; evil pervasive throughout Israel; whoredom of idolatry is in Ephraim, and Israel is defiled (Hosea 6:8-10) 7. A harvest appointed for Judah when YHWH brings back His captive people (Hosea 6:11) a. If positive, blessings and prosperity b. More likely negative: Judah will be punished and will go into exile as well C. A Corrupt Government (Hosea 7:1-7) 1. If YHWH would heal Israel, the iniquity of the capital is manifest: thieves plunder; YHWH has seen their deeds; such iniquity pleases the king and court (Hosea 7:1-3) 2. All are condemned as adulterers, as a heated oven not stoked while the bread cooks (Hosea 7:4) a. Metaphor for the apostasy b. What was wrought by Jeroboam the son of Nebat persisted in Israel (2 Kings 17:7-23) 3. The king is surrounded by drunks and mockers (cynics? yes-men?); intrigue surrounds the court, burning hot like an oven; rulers consumed by the intrigue (Hosea 7:5-7) 4. A portrayal of a paralyzed and corrupt government so focused on internal palatial intrigues that actual governance is not done, YHWH is not honored, and judgment awaits D. A Cake Not Turned (Hosea 7:8-16) 1. Ephraim condemned for mixing with nations, as a “cake not turned”; its strength consumed, more aged than believed (Hosea 7:8-9) a. An unturned cake will be uncooked on one side and burnt on another b. Israel presumes itself strong and unified; in reality, its glory days are far past, its power sapped by its neighbors, its time coming to an end 2. Israel’s pride testifies to its face; they have not returned to YHWH (Hosea 7:10; cf. Hosea 5:5) a. Israel maintains its pride despite its circumstances; presumes its continued existence, perhaps even prosperity, despite warning signs on horizon b. They thus do not turn back to YHWH in repentance for His strength 3. Israel has instead sought refuge in foreign policy, making appeals to Egypt and Assyria; Israel condemned as a silly dove, naïve and ready to be exploited, and YHWH will capture her with a net (Hosea 7:11-12) 4. YHWH pronounces woe upon Israel: they have wandered and transgressed against Him; even though He would have redeemed them they speak lies against Him; they go through elaborate rituals and festivals but do not cry out to YHWH; they persist in rebellion (Hosea 7:13-14) 5. YHWH taught and strengthened Israel, but they devise mischief against Him; their repentance is not well directed, as a deceitful bow; their princes will die in war, and will be held in derision in “Egypt” (Hosea 7:15-16) a. Possibly in regards to how Israel will be remembered in Egypt; unreliable foreign policy partner b. More likely an evocation of the theme of exile 6. Thus not only is Israel’s domestic governance flawed, its foreign policy is a greater disaster: low on trust in YHWH, high on foreign policy machinations between two great powers, and will lead to Israel’s demise E. And so the Israelites are covenant transgressors: YHWH would restore and heal them, but they do not turn to Him; they pride themselves on their heritage, are consumed with palace intrigue, and trusting in foreign policy machinations which will fail; their end is decreed! IV. Application A. YHWH the Healer 1. It does not take long to notice that Hosea’s prophecies represent substantially the same message merely dressed up in different garb: Israel is guilty of pernicious idolatry and risks severe judgment 2. And yet looking at that different garb is instructive; it shows how YHWH is attempting in every way to exhort Israel to find some way in which she might perhaps listen 3. Hosea begins with marriage, adultery, whoredom, and restoration, in which YHWH is an aggrieved husband (Hosea 1:1-3:5); he continues with a courtroom-like indictment and judgment in which YHWH is prosecutor and judge (Hosea 4:1-5:15); and now the predominant image is that of a wounded nation looking in all the wrong places for succor in which YHWH is the healer (Hosea 6:1-7:16) 4. YHWH would heal Israel; after judgment, YHWH will heal Israel (Hosea 6:1, 7:1) 5. Israel would have to learn by experience not to trust in themselves, foreign policy, etc.; then there could be restoration 6. God would be our healer as well; God will heal all who come to Him (Matthew 9:11-13) 7. We do well to learn from Israel: when we are wounded, we will not find solace or healing in the world, in its machinations, but only in God! B. Delusions of Grandeur 1. A theme persistent throughout Hosea 6:1-7:16 is Israel’s great confidence in itself: it maintained delusions of grandeur 2. We must again remember the historical context in the days of Jeroboam (II): Israel is, for the moment, prosperous and successful (2 Kings 14:23-29) 3. Based on Hosea 7:1-16 in particular it seems manifest that Israel saw itself as young, thriving, and strong, expecting many more than the 30 odd years allotted to it 4. Problems were swept under the rug; whatever strains existed in the system were explained away or addressed by other means 5. They did not trust in YHWH or rely on His strength; their character was evident, trusting in themselves, rebellious, arrogant 6. No doubt when Israelites looked back they would have perceived the ruin to which they were blinded in the moment 7. In our lives we also often suffer from delusions of grandeur, believing ourselves strong when actually weak, glossing over difficulties and problems which may eventually consume us, manifesting a character not in compliance with God but trusting in ourselves 8. How many in their lives have looked back and perceived the ruin to which they were blinded at earlier moments? 9. We must not allow our pride to testify to our face; we do well to turn to God, trust in Him, recognize our weakness so He can strengthen us, and endure the day of difficulty (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10) C. Mercy, Not Sacrifice 1. The associations between Hosea 6:1-6 and Matthew 9:9-13 are strong a. Hosea would hew the people; Jesus, the Word of God, would slay them b. YHWH would heal; Jesus is the Physician c. And yet the people are stuck in religion that honors the motion but does not contain the substance of the character of God 2. Such has always been the difficulty with religion: it is easier to focus on the externals, the superficial, the “objective,” and to miss the heart of God and true service to Him 3. We humans tend to like “C-grade“ religion: doing just enough to get by a. In how many ways do we try to do just enough? b. How many times are we satisfied with mediocrity, not excellence? c. The sacrificial system was a magnet for C-grade religion: as long as offerings are made, God is happy, and we can get on with our lives d. Christianity needed only a few modifications: as long as we go to the assembly, do the five acts, etc., God is happy, and we can get on with our lives 4. Yet God has always wanted mercy, not sacrifices; knowledge of God, not offerings a. This did not mean Israelites were not to sacrifice; it does not mean we should ignore or neglect the assembly, the five acts, etc. b. But God is not out to get some stuff from us; God is not to be placated but loved and trusted! c. So much of that ancient paganism, to fear the divine and the imperative to placate and mollify God, to keep Him at arm’s length, remains even in modern man; it must be purged in Christianity! d. God wants us to be one with Him in Christ (John 17:20-23); we can only do so when we strive for holiness and to be like Him in love, grace, and mercy (1 John 2:3-6) 5. As with Israel, so with Christians: if we truly know who God is and what He is about, we will see the folly of C-grade religion and avoid it at all costs; we will give ourselves to Him and His purposes 6. If we content ourselves with C-grade religion, look at Christianity and the church in terms of what we can get out of it, look for entertainment and distraction, then we do not know God in Christ; we are of the world, knowing we should be better, but not willing to do what is required to honor and glorify God 7. God stands ready and willing to heal those who are wounded and turn to Him; strengthen those who are weak and turn to Him; redeem and sustain those who seek to know Him and show love, grace, and mercy as He did (John 3:16, etc.) 8. But those who are really of the world, looking to just squeak by with the bare minimum, who would rather see God as spiritual 911 and otherwise not involved in life, consumed in their pride, will go the way of the world and of all flesh, and will incur strong judgment! D. Learn from Israel’s failing: be not haughty in your own sight, recognize your dependence on God, learn of Him, be healed and strengthened by Him, seek His purposes, and be saved! Scripture, Meditation, and Application 1: Come, and let us return unto YHWH; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up (Hosea 6:1). YHWH exhorted Israel through Hosea as an aggrieved husband and as a prosecutor and judge. He now wishes to exhort Israel as a healer, willing to cure Israel’s difficulties and distress. But to do so they would have to admit their weakness and turn back to Him. They recognized their wound but looked elsewhere; they perished in their rebellion. May we turn to God and be healed! 2: But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me (Hosea 6:7). Throughout time God has interacted with people by means of covenant. A covenant sets the terms of a relationship. In the ancient Near East covenants existed between stronger kings (suzerain) and their client kings (vassals); marriage is likened unto a covenant. Covenant transgression was a serious matter, and Israel had transgressed its covenant with YHWH. May we uphold the covenant God has made with all mankind through Christ Jesus! 3: Woe unto them! For they have wandered from me; destruction unto them! For they have trespassed against me: though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me (Hosea 7:13). Israel’s condition in the days of Jeroboam (II) was not nearly as strong as it seemed. Israel was plagued with domestic intrigue and machinations in foreign policy. YHWH would have saved and redeemed them if they only had turned to Him. They refused; they rebelled; they spoke lies and did mischief. And so YHWH gave them over to their enemies and they were consumed. May we not be destroyed in our pride but humbly turn to and depend on God! 4: For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings (Hosea 6:6). Israelites saw YHWH as pagans saw their idols. Gods were to be placated and mollified by sacrifice in the ancient world so you could be left alone. People still treat God in this pagan way. But YHWH seeks relational unity with His offspring; He wants us to share in His character so we can share in eternity together. Thus goodness and knowledge of God are of the greatest importance. We do well to devote our lives to serving God in Christ lest we find ourselves condemned as pagan as the Gentiles among us!