Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of Hosea
by Max Frazier, Jr

THE CASE AGAINST ISRAEL: MORE CHARGES: Hosea 7

God's case against Israel for her spiritual unfaithfulness proceeds. In our last study we noticed how God had given a challenge to Israel for them to repent and to return unto Him. Instead, Israel determined to be religious and to rely upon outward rituals and ceremonies instead of turning back toward God. So no, God strengthens His case by proclaiming that Israel's sinfulness is like adding fuel to an oven.

Whenever we give in to sin it is like adding fuel to the fire. To keep our sinful desires aflame keeps taking more wood: more sinful thoughts, more sinful actions. And each piece of wood we throw into the fire becomes larger. Sins have a way of growing.

To help us understand how sins progress one upon another until the fire is red hot and out of control, let us examine probably the most well known account of sin outside of that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. I am speaking about the sin of David with Bathsheba, as recorded in 2 Samuel 11. Let's see if we can understand the number of sins which were involved in this tragic story.

First, it says in verse 1 that it was the time of year when the kings normally went to war. David had done this on many other occasions, but this year, for reasons not explained in the text, he remained at home. Perhaps David was plagued with the sins of laziness or indifference, or maybe he was apathetic about the situation his army faced. No matter how hard we might try to explain it, David certainly was not in the place where he ought to have been.

Secondly, David lusted after a beautiful woman he saw bathing in her outdoor pool. Immediately he should have turned and walked away. That is what Joseph had done many years previously. But not David. After all he was the King and kings can do and see whatever they want to do and see. So as he looked and lusted, he conceived a plan to have those lusts fulfilled.

Thirdly, David inquired as to who the woman was. He was told that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Right there, David should have stopped dead in his tracks. Uriah was one of the inner circle of men who had been with him and supported him for years. He was a close personal friend. But did David stop? No, he kept right on with his plan, now adding coveting to his list of sins, for Bathsheba rightfully belonged to another, and yet David wanted her as his own.

Fourthly, David committed adultery with Bathsheba. And I am sure that he enjoyed the pleasures which that evening brought to him. But those pleasures only lasted momentarily, for a few weeks later Bathsheba sends him news that she is pregnant and the child is David's. Now, what is David to do?

We might say to David, "Confess your sins before God and get right with him." But sin is now running out of control in David's life. So, he keeps on sinning. Fifthly, instead of repenting, he attempts to cover-up his sin. But Uriah was a better man than was David at this point in time. And Uriah's convictions and righteous attitude creates within David a deep anger. Yes, anger is now the sixth sin added to David's charge. And the result of the anger is the murder of Uriah.

It is only when David is confronted by God, through the prophet Nathan, that those sins are removed. Our sinful desires can be brought under control and even quenched by the presence of God. That is why it is so important for us to submit ourselves daily to God and to be filled with His Spirit.

Perhaps each of us should ask God to cool that sinful oven in our lives and quench those desires for sin with the living water of His presence.

Further Thoughts from Hosea 7:

KEY WORDS: Adulterers; Return to the Lord his God; An oven

KEY VERSE: Verses 4 and 10 state the attitude of the people.

PURPOSE STATEMENT: God continues his list of charges against Israel by proclaiming that their sinfulness is like adding fuel to an oven.

OUTLINE: LIKE AN OVEN

I. Sin is before God - verses 1-2

II. The sins of Israel - verses 3-7

III. Israel does not return to the Lord - verses 8-9

IV. Instead of God, Israel has sought help elsewhere - verses 10-16

Hosea 6 Return to the Table of Contents Hosea 8