Hosea 5:1-15 Click here for Bible Verses
Today’s passage is Hosea 5:1-15. Let’s go!
Here are 3 short points to share with you from Hosea 5:1-15.
Hosea 5:3 (NIV)
3 I know all about Ephraim; Israel is not hidden from me. Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution; Israel is corrupt.
On verse 3: In case you’re wondering who Ephraim is, Ephraim here is another name for the nation of Israel. Ephraim was one of the 12 tribes of Israel, but later was often used by the Old Testament prophets to refer to Israel as a whole.
Hosea 5:4 (NIV)
4 “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.
On verse 4: Israel’s sinful attitudes and sinful actions were rooted in what God calls here a “spirit of prostitution” in their hearts. Because of that spirit of prostitution and the sins they committed under that spirit, the Israelites were separated from God. As verse 4 says, “their deeds do not permit them to return to their God”.
This may sound shocking, but before you and I came to faith in Jesus Christ, we too were under a spirit of prostitution. In other words, we were slaves to sin. Our propensity was to continue selling ourselves and giving ourselves to sin, all for wages that do not satisfy and that ultimately lead to shame, distress and separation from God.
But then a new spirit — the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit — began to work in our lives. He began leading you to Jesus, showing you that you need Him. And when you received Christ into your life, the Bible says this Holy Spirit began to live in you as well. Holy Spirit now lives in you, guiding you, helping you understand God’s Word, helping you experience God’s presence, and empowering you to serve God. Your body is now a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Praise God! Because of Jesus we are no longer under a spirit of sin and spiritual prostitution but under the control of God’s Holy Spirit! That’s why another prophet Ezekiel writes about this new spirit that God places in us:
– “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 11:19).
– “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
Hosea 5:15 (NIV)
15 Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me.”
On verse 15: The ultimate reason God allows “misery” (difficult times, tough times, painful times) in our lives is not to be cruel to us or to punish us, but ultimately to lead us to Him. Sometimes, as stubborn children, we need God’s discipline in order to come back to Him. God is a Heavenly Father who cares enough about us to discipline us when necessary. May we learn every lesson God wants us to learn as early as possible.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the times when You allow discipline and hardship in my life. It’s not because You’re mad or cruel to me; it’s because as a Heavenly Father You use pain and hardship to discipline me, to refine me and to make me into the person You want me to be. Thank You that You love me enough as Your child that You would discipline me.
Thank You also that Jesus Christ has set me free from the control of evil spirits. Now, it is Your Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who lives in me and who guides my life. Thank You Holy Spirit for being my best friend and for leading me to faith, salvation and spiritual maturity. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
