CHAPTER 5

1 Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. 2 And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.

One cannot help but notice to whom this prophecy is directed. First, it is to the priests, then to the whole "house" of Israel, and especially to the "house of the king."

First, the political element of Israel (the king's house) had devised altars to golden calves in Bethel and Dan (1Kings 12:28-29). The purpose of these idols was to keep the people from going to Jerusalem for true worship. Then, each king followed the example in order to keep the people separated from God's holy place.

The king also used common people as priests and literally instructed them as to the type of worship (1Kings 12:31-33). Therefore, the priests, who should have been responsible for leading in true worship, corrupted the people in false worship.

The people were also responsible for their personal relationship with God. Yet they followed the leaders and did not maintain that personal relationship.

God speaks of them ALL as "revolters." They had REBELLED against His authority and commandments.

The idolatry initiated by the king eventually led to total rejection of God and His Word. And even though God "rebuked them all," they refused to listen.

3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled. 4 They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.

But God KNOWS! He knows the hearts of ALL people!

God calls their idolatry "whoredom. The people had spiritually prostituted themselves.

And, over the years, the real truth of God had been lost. They were so "wrapped up" in idolatry that they did not know God!

5 And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them. 6 They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.

Men who are not filled with God's Spirit are filled with "pride." They were so proud of their piety that they refused to listen to the truth.

When the Assyrians come and begin to ravage the land, the people will try to seek God. But God will have "withdrawn" Himself from them because of their sins. God has not "withdrawn" Himself from hearing their call of repentance, and He will certainly forgive if they return. But God has withdrawn His hand of providential protection, and they will suffer the consequences for their sins.

7 They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions. 8 Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Beth-aven, after thee, O Benjamin. 9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.

The parents had so long been in idolatry that the chidren were "strange" to God -- they didn't know Him.

The trumpet of alarm is sounding, God is sending punitive judgement (verse 8).

God has sent prophet after prophet to reprove them and give them opportunity to repent. God had PLED with them through the prophets, bu they refused to hear. Now, God says the only thing that will bring them to repentance is AFFLICTION.

10 The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water. 11 Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. 12 Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.

The king had initiated the "commandment" to worship false idols, and the people had obeyed. Therefore they would be "oppressed and broken in judgment."

OH! AMERICA LISTEN!! We have taught our children IDOLS! They have grown up worshipping cars, trucks, movie theatres, television, sports arenas, etc. We have failed in teaching the Word of God and they are far removed from the truth of God!

13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. 14 For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. 15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

Israel SAW the "sickness," they KNEW they were getting weaker and weaker as a nation. They tried to appease and enjoin the king of Assyria.

But God has already determined to USE Assyria as a "lion" against them!

God is removing His mighty hand of protection, and allowing them to be brought into terrible affliction. But God will be ready to forgive when they return to Him.

God is willing to forgive. But man must turn from his pride and worldliness to God and beg forgiveness.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.