Reaping A Whirlwind (Hos.8:1-14)

It is through little things like forgetting God and then trusting in our own resources rather than in Him that we end up in destruction.

Israel has forgotten his Maker(v.14). Forgetting God doesn’t mean literally forgetting, but rather means “neglecting”. God was not the first priority in their lives.

Five sins resulted from Israel forgetting God :

• The breaking of God’s covenant (v.1-3) : The word covenant means agreement. It is essentially personal. Breaking covenant in other words means breaking God’s heart. Disobedience is breaking God’s heart.
• Without God’s consent or approval (v.4) : They would choose leaders(kings) without direction from God. And their choice would be based on foolishness and sin. We cannot see into human hearts. We only look at the external. God knows the hearts of people. And once sinful leaders were chosen, the leadership becomes ungodly and corrupt.
• Idolatry (v.4-6) : Bad leaders led to bad religion. God condemns the worship of the “calf-idol”.
• Alliances with ungodly nations (v.8-10) : They have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering alone! Israel failed to turn to God who was their Saviour and Helper.
• Construction of false altars (v.11-13) : God holds Israel responsible for the judgment they are about to face. They sowed a wind and reaped a whirlwind.