Sermon Snippet – Thoroughly Modern Silly
INTRODUCTION – Hosea 7 is God’s indictment of the nation of Israel. Destruction was on its doorstep, as the vicious Assyrians were soon to sweep into Samaria (the capital of Israel), subjugate the country, and take some of its inhabitants into captivity. The prophet Hosea correctly predicted these events. In chapter 7, he proves himself to be also something of a poet as he employs four word pictures to describe his beloved but backsliding land. His imagery remains relevant today; in fact, his words sound quite modern.
1. THE NATION WAS UNHINGED IN ITS BASE EMOTIONS
The Israelites are described “as an oven heated by the baker” (verse 4), “like an oven…as a flaming fire” (verse 6), and “hot as an oven” (verse 7); they were overheated and out of control, partying like it was 722 B.C. (verses 4-5). They were guilty of spiritual adultery (“They are all adulterers” – verse 4), an unfaithfulness to God that also included the physical immorality found as an integral part of the infamous paganism of the Canaanites. The leaders are excoriated – King, princes, judges – but the people are also held responsible. For example, verse 1b could be describing our cities: “For they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without” – all seemingly without any accountability. Verse 2 reminds us of God’s reckoning: “They consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before My face.” A simple antidote to being unhinged is to be hinged – that is, to be connected to God, to have a real relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son.
2. THE NATION WAS UNBALANCED IN ITS FUZZY THINKING
“Ephraim [a synonym for Israel] is a cake not turned” (verse 8b). Like a pancake burnt on one side and raw on the other, the Israelites were unpalatable to God. They were half-baked in their thinking, recognizing the existence of God but refusing His blessed way. Instead, they chose to traverse their own selfish, stubborn, self-destructive road that bangs up against the gates of hell. The Christian’s approach should be one of careful analysis and of comparison to God’s Word: such thinking will provide needed clarity.
3. THE NATION WAS UNREALISTIC IN ITS WORLDLY OUTLOOK
“Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart [sense]: they call to Egypt, they call to Assyria” (verse 11). Rather than trusting in God, the Israelites flitted from alliance to alliance, looking even to “Assyria,” which would soon invade the land. “Go along to get along” was their wishy-washy, squishy-squashy motto, and it would fail them, as verse 12 metaphorically pictures. Christians should be the world’s great realists (as A.W. Tozer once famously preached), seeing life as it really is. Part of that realism is appropriate self-evaluation: God can do anything (anything that is consistent with His character, that is), but I cannot do everything. He has not called me to be a world-class athlete, renowned author, or expert financier. Instead of flitting about, dabbling in this and frittering away valuable time in that, let us focus decisively on the few things that God obviously wants us to do. Then He will begin to add to those things as He see fit.
4. THE NATION WAS UNRELIABLE IN ITS COMMITMENTS
“They are like a deceitful bow” (verse 16b). A crooked bow is worse than no weapon at all, for it gives a false sense of security. Furthermore, it could actually injure the archer or his companions. Reliability is an undervalued trait but is also one that seems to be scarcer and scarcer. Since it is a characteristic of God, we should strive to be solidly reliable people. As always, let us start with those who are closest to us. May they find us to be loyal, dependable, consistent – in a word, reliable.
CONCLUSION – The parallels to our nation are unmistakable, for rebellion against God takes on the same forms regardless of time. Our role is to be like Hosea, faithful to God and His message, courageous before the onslaught of modern paganism. A nation is made up of individuals, each one needing Jesus as Savior. The next new Christian may be the tipping point toward righteousness as a nation. If not (and far more importantly), that one will be ready for eternity, secure in the embrace of our loving Lord.