Morning on the plain below Mount Tabor, its rounded green dome rising over the fields; in the foreground grass a fowler’s cord net lies pegged flat, almost unseen.

The LORD’s case

Hosea 5

The people who lead you: are they guarding you or trapping you?

15 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–3Hosea’s marriageA wife, three names, and love bought back
4–6:3The LORD’s caseNo knowledge of God in the landChapter 5
6–11Sowing the windMist, kings, calves, and a love that won’t let go
11–14Return, O IsraelJacob’s story, death undone, and the last call

Judgment on Israel and Judah

God

“Hear this, O priests!

Take heed, O house of Israel!

Give ear, O royal house!

For this judgment is against you

because you have been a snare at Mizpah,

a net spread out on Tabor.

The rebels are deep in slaughter;

but I will chastise them all.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

God

Full noon over the hill country of Ephraim: every terrace, path and village plain to see under a high sun, hardly a shadow, Samaria on its hill far off.

I know all about Ephraim,

and Israel is not hidden from Me.

For now, O Ephraim,

you have turned to prostitution;

Israel is defiled.

God

Their deeds do not permit them

to return to their God,

for a spirit of prostitution is within them,

and they do not know the LORD.

Israel’s arrogance testifies against them;

Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity;

even Judah stumbles with them.

God

God

They go with their flocks and herds

to seek the LORD,

but they do not find Him;

He has withdrawn Himself from them.

God

They have been unfaithful to the LORD;

for they have borne illegitimate children.

Now the New Moon will devour them

along with their land.

Reflect

Flocks, but no heart

Israel went with flocks and herds “to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him.” Where have you brought God your offerings while keeping your heart back? Write it down, and give Him the part you held back.

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

The alarm

Three towns on the road north from Jerusalem, on the line between Judah and Israel. Hosea calls Bethel Beth-aven, ‘house of wickedness’. Samaria, the northern capital, lies farther north.

God

God

Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah,

the trumpet in Ramah;

raise the battle cry in Beth-aven:

Lead on, O Benjamin!

Ephraim will be laid waste

on the day of rebuke.

Among the tribes of Israel

I proclaim what is certain.

God

Early morning where two terraced fields meet: a rough, lichen-patched upright stone stands at the corner, plowed earth on one side and young barley on the other, a dry-stone wall running away from it.

The princes of Judah

are like those who move boundary stones;

I will pour out My fury

upon them like water.

God

God

Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment,

for he is determined to follow worthless idols.

So I am like a moth to Ephraim,

and like decay to the house of Judah.

God

Hot afternoon at an Assyrian palace gate: Israelite envoys in fine dyed wool lead donkeys loaded with bales and silver toward waiting Assyrian soldiers.

When Ephraim saw his sickness

and Judah his wound,

then Ephraim turned to Assyria

and sent to the great king.

But he cannot cure you

or heal your wound.

0:11

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

God

Dusk in the emptied hill country of Samaria: a lion stands calm on a rocky ridge above an abandoned terraced vineyard and a half-empty village, while far below a settler hurries a few goats into a fold.

For I am like a lion to Ephraim

and like a young lion to the house of Judah.

I, even I, will tear them to pieces

and then go away.

I will carry them off

where no one can rescue them.

God

Then I will return to My place

until they admit their guilt and seek My face;

in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

Hosea 5:15

Question

Quick question

Israel and Judah were both hurt, and both knew it. Think about where they turned before you answer.

When Ephraim saw his sickness, where did he go?

You’ve experienced

Hosea 5

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A verse to carry with you

Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.

Hosea 5:15

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