Exegesis on Hosea 5
You are introduced to Hosea chapter 5 with the familiar indictment upon the servants of God. That doesn't mean you should not serve Him. Serve Him. But, when you do serve in an outward fashion in your community of believers, be more careful than those who do not serve outwardly.
Verse 3 reminds us of the omniscience of God. He knows all that is in space and time. Be you Israel, Ephraim, Mizpah, Tabor, Shittim or Pluto, He knows you. Remember that God has the Sun shed its light and give life to the foliage of believers and nonbelievers alike.
Verse 4 brings me to my knees. We are not fighting against people. I'm incredulous when I see, in my neighbors' eyes, bloodlust against their neighbors. We need to take that passion and focus it against our true enemy. Our true enemies are the spiritual legion that stand in opposition to the word of God. Our true enemies are the spirits of harlotry and whoredom within us. The remedy? The worship of God. The incessant praying for God to send the grace of His Holy Spirit upon us is necessary to be liberated from the bondage of sin.
Verse 5 tells us who we are. We are sinners. In the 1990's sneakers that light-up with sundry bright colors were popular amongst the youth. Whenever we sin, it as if we are flashing these bright lights at God and saying "hey, look at my pride, isn't it glorious?"
Verse 6 humbles those of us who abuse the grace of God. We should not blatantly sin, neglecting the word of God, and expect God to always receive us. If He so chooses, He will withdraw His steadfast mercy from us. And then, all we can say is, "it is right and it is just."
Verse 7 speaks to me about teaching. Look at the word faithlessly. Commitment is one of the weightier matters of the law, and we must never neglect it. Particularly, with our children. Children is a word that, at least in Ethiopian semitic languages, is equated with the word disciples. We bear illegitimate disciples if we do not know the word of God. We will not know the word of God, unless we give our time to hear it, chew on it, swallow it, and let it digest for our nourishment. Then, and only then, should we dare to teach others.
Let the whole world hear the good news. Acknowledge your sins, your salvation through God, and our duty to stand with the oppressed. Since rulers often are oppressors, they should forever seek the fortress that is God's mercy. For outside of God, there is no mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, help us acknowledge our guilt, seek your face, and beg you to have mercy on us sinners.
Furthermore, we must love each other.