Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of Hosea
by Max Frazier, Jr

A CASE AGAINST ISRAEL: THE CHARGE: Hosea 4

One of my favorite television programs was Perry Mason. No matter how complex the case, Perry always found a way to reach the truth and to bring deliverance to his client. I always thought that if I ever needed an attorney, I surely wanted one like Perry Mason.

There is something about a courtroom drama which fascinates most of us. Many of us watched the long arduous trial of O.J. Simpson several years ago. Many Americans have become addicted, first to Judge Wapner and now to Judge Judy. There is even a network called "Court TV" whose programming involves live courtroom trials.

Hosea 4 is the beginning of a courtroom drama unlike any we might recognize. God is both the prosecutor and the judge. Israel is the defendant. The charge which God makes against her is that of adultery and unfaithfulness.

God had indicted His people with a coming destruction due to a lack of knowledge. He states very pointedly in verse 1, There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. Ignorance does not excuse us from the culpability before God. I remember an old expression heard often when I was growing up, "Ignorance is no excuse for the Law." When Marlys and I moved here to Minnesota from Iowa, we had the responsibility of finding out what the laws were in this state. It would not go well with me, should I be charged with breaking a law in this state, and my only defense was that I did not know. Do you think the judge would let me off lightly with that excuse? Probably not!

And yet, how sad that we live in a time when there is such a lack of knowledge about God through His Word. We don't know what the Bible says, and most disturbing of all, many seemingly don't seem to care.

Such a rejection of knowledge and an ignorance of the truth will surely lead to the ruination of our nation. Whenever truth is trampled upon often enough by leadership, the common people begin to question what truth really is. And once truth has been abandoned, then anything becomes legitimate because truth is no longer absolute but relative.

During Hosea's day, this was the status of Israel. They had willfully rejected the truth and had adopted the lies of idolatry. They had turned their backs upon the knowledge of the Word of God because they had forsaken His Word. Sadly, this has become the standard for most of our world today.

I praise God for what He is doing through the classes of the Village School. I praise God for the awakening which comes as people really study God's Word for themselves. It is this knowledge of the truth which sets men free. Jesus told His disciples that the truth would set them free and that His Word was truth (John 8:32 and John 17:17).

Further Thoughts from Hosea 4:

KEY WORDS: Charge; Love; Adultery; Prostitution

KEY VERSE: Verses 1 and 6 share with us the reasons for the charge which God brings against Israel.

PURPOSE STATEMENT: God begins the presentation of his case against Israel in this chapter. The charge: Adultery and unfaithfulness.

OUTLINE: GOD'S CHARGE AGAINST ISRAEL

I. Evidences of the people: Destruction - verses 1-3

II. Lack of knowledge brings destruction - verses 4-5

III. Even the priests have sinned - verses 6-9

IV. A spirit of prostitution is prevalent - verses 10-14

V. Israel is stubborn - verses 15-19

Hosea 3 Return to the Table of Contents Hosea 5