Hosea was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel around 750 BC — approximately 25 years before Israel would be destroyed by the Assyrians as a divine consequence for their immorality and disobedience to God. What makes Hosea particularly interesting is the fact that Hosea’s own marriage to Gomer (lovely female name, isn’t it?) was an illustration of Israel’s relationship to God. Just as Gomer was not faithful to Hosea and “played the harlot” so did Israel play the harlot with God. Hosea’s emotional turmoil with his wife was meant to serve as a glimpse into the heart of God. When we forsake God to pursue “other lovers” (materialism, pride, power, sexual immorality, etc.), we break the heart of God.
Hosea 4 gives God’s indictment of the land of Israel. These verses caught my attention.
There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying. But let no man bring a charge, let no man accuse another… (4:1-4).
Sin comes in a bundle. Where there is no acknowledgement of God, there is no love and faithfulness. Where there is no love and faithfulness, there is “only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery.” There are no boundaries. Anything goes. And violence begats more violence.
When people live like this, “the land mourns.” Our sins actually affect the environment! “The beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fist of the sea are dying.” I don’t consider myself an “environmentalist” (in the political sense of the world), but I couldn’t help but notice that there is a relationship between the sinfulness of a people and the impact on the land. A people out of control will inevitably wreck havoc on the land.
But lest we start pointing the fingers at others, God warns, “But let no man bring a charge, let no man accuse another…” Our tendency is to see the sinfulness of the nation and immediately start picking out who is to blame. Usually last on the list is ourselves. God says, “Stop pointing your finger at others. You share in the blame.”
Hosea 5 continues the charge. Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, a spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the LORD. Israel’s arrogance testifies against them…” (5:4-5).
The implication is that often a part of us wants to serve God and wants to return to Him, but our sinful deeds “do not permit” it. In other words, a part of us wants God but a bigger part of us can’t bear the thought of leaving behind our sin. Though sin leaves us dissatisfied, empty, and in bondage, we still love it. We love our materialism, our sexual immorality, our greed, our lust, our envy, our lying, etc. These things are our “other lovers.” We play the harlot with God, saying we are faithful to Him while pursuing our ultimate happiness and satisfaction in other things. That is why God says, “A spirit of prostitution is in their heart.” With our lips we praise God, but our hearts are far from Him.
How do we know that we have reached this state? “Israel’s arrogance testifies against them.” Arrogance is the tell tale sign that we have abandoned God for other lovers. When we reach the stage that we see nothing wrong with our actions, when we see other people as the real problem, when we excuse our sin while accusing others of sin, or when we simply do not care any more, we have given ourselves over to spiritual prostitution.
Lord, I fear that my heart is tied to other lovers. Forgive me for seeing the sins of others more quickly than I see it in myself. Break the bonds in my life that pull my attention away from You. May I be a faithful lover to You, and to You alone.