>Hosea 4: Case for the Prosecution
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. CHARGES LEVELED (4:1-3)
A. EXAMINATION OF INDICTMENT
>>1. DECLARE GOD’S WORD
Hosea 4:1a Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelis, for the Lord has an indictment against the residents in the land: (Prov 1:24-29)
>>2. DECRY THREE MISSING ELEMENTS
Hosea 4:1b There is no faithfulness, no loving devotion, and no acknowledgment of God in the land. (Prov 9:10)
B. EXAMPLES VERIFY THE INDICTMENT
>>1. DEPRAVITY OF MORALS
Hosea 4:2 There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery; they break all boundaries, and bloodshed leads to more bloodshed.
>>2. DESTRUCTION OF ENVIRONMENT
Hosea 4:3 Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it suffer. The animals on earth and birds in the air, even the fish in the sea are dying. (Gen 1:26)
II. CONSEQUENCES OF THE INDICTMENT (4:4-14)
A. EVIDENCE PROVES GUILT
>>1. DEBASED LEADERSHIP
Hosea 4:4-6 But let no person bring a charge or accuse another, for My contention is with the priest. You stumble day and night, with the prophet as well. I will strike mute your family.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you’ve rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to Me. Since you’ve ignored God’s Torah, I also will ignore your family. (Deut 17:9-12;33:10; Ps 138:2; Jn 1:1; Ezek 44:23; Mal 2:7; II Tim 4:2)
>>2. DEFILED LEADERSHIP
Hosea 4:7-9 The more priests there were, the more they sinned against Me. They changed My glory to disgrace. They feed on the sins of My people, delighting in such sin offerings. Yes, ‘like people, like priest’. I will punish them all for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
B. EXHIBITION OF MENTALITY
>>1. DISATISFACTION OF THE SOUL
Hosea 4:10-12 They will eat, but not be satisfied; they will play the prostitute, but not flourish, because they have deserted the Lord. They cherish immorality; old and new wine deadens their understanding. My people seek advice from a piece of wood and want their walking staff to give them messages. An immoral spirit leads them astray, and they have become unfaithful to their God.
>>2 DECLINE OF THE NATION
Hosea 4:13-14 They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and elm, comfortable in their shade. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution, and your daughters-in-law to adultery. I will not punish your daughters who do such, since the men themselves visit prostitutes and sacrifice with shrine devotees. Such a people without discernment will be overrun!
III. CAVEAT TO OTHERS (4:15-19)
A. ENCOURAGEMENT TO JUDAH
>>1. DETERENCE
Hosea 4:15-16 Though you commit adultery, O Israel, don’t let Judah join the guilty. Do not enter Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven, and take the oath, “As the Lord lives.” Like a stubborn heifer, Israel is obstinate; can the Lord now feed them like a lamb in a meadow? (I Cor 15:33; I Kg 12:28-29)
>>2. DISCARDED
Hosea 4:17-19 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone. When their drink is gone, they continue in immorality; their leaders dearly love shameful deeds. A whirlwind has wrapped them in her skirts, and their sacrifices will bring them shame. (Ezek 23:42-44)
B. ENLIGHTENMENT FOR US TODAY
>>1. DETAILS APPLIED IN NT (Rom 1:21-32)
>>2. DITTO FOR TODAY (I Jn 5:21, Lk 22:32-34)