Are We an Adulterous Nation?

Hosea 2:1 – 3:5 

Hosea's message from God in chapter 2 relates to the "adulterous" nation that He has established. The reason for the metaphor is that Israel had left God, her "husband", to eagerly pursue other gods; not only the idols of the Canaanites, but the lifestyles that ruined their society. Cheating one another, using the poor to feed the rich, concentrating on wealth at the expense of family relationships, ignoring God's laws if they cost in terms of commitment, charity, or loss of power were also part of their idolatry. When we look at the situation in these terms, we clearly also pursue our own idols still today.

God says through Hosea, "They have not acknowledged that I was the one who gave…. (vs.8). Isn't that the rejection that we find in our own nation? We are the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world, and yet we are adamantly and deliberately pushing the God who has so blessed us out of any mention in the land. Will we ever realize that we are worse off without God? (vs.7)

God makes it clear in His word that He controls the fate of nations, whether they acknowledge Him or not. Do we have God's chastisement in our future? If so, we may take comfort in the verses of restoration that Hosea prophesies. Or, has the unchangeable God changed since the Old Testament? Does He still view nations as His domain? Some say that these verses are only for Israel in the Old Testament; that God does not concern Himself with nations anymore. Some say that He has no right to interfere in a nation that has decided to travel in a direction away from Him; that religion is a philosophy and that our human philosophy is as valid as any religion. What do you think about these questions?

Comments

[Sue]

Absolutely. Isn't it sad that more people don't realize that God is not our magician in a box, but the Master of our world and our universe, as well as our lives?

[Carole]

no right? interesting choice of words. i believe WE have no right to expect the continued grace, unfathomable mercy and great blessings He showers upon us. But He is love and also just.