Ignoring the Warning Signs from God
Text: Hosea 5:8-14 Date: 6-28-26
The overall picture of this verse indicates an onrushing army that has already stormed through Ephraim (northern kingdom). Once the enemy has defeated the northern kingdom, they will endanger the southern kingdom. Thus, the warnings are going up from Benjamin and the areas of Judah to warn of this approaching army. Hosea depicts the nation of Israel already coming under the judgment of God.
Application: Could Israel stop the Lord’s judgment? By this time, they had fully rejected God.
“. . . God has made known that which shall surely be. There is no hope now for a stay of sentence, for the people are thoroughly impenitent” (Feinberg 33). We often think of God keeping His word in regard to a “positive” promise, but here we see that God also keeps His promises when it pertains to professed judgment. God’s word is as sure on the future glorious promises as it is on the devastation of judgment to those who fail to believe and repent.
2. Sound the warning: Judah will also face judgment (Hosea 5:10; 12b)
The leaders of Judah are both guilty of stealing land (Ahab/Naboth) and rights from the poor. Judah is guilty of the most common sin of misidentifying right from wrong. Just as people failed to heed the boundary markers, the leaders failed to heed God’s commandments. See Isa. 5:8; Micah 2:1-2.
3. Wave the red flag: Israel has failed (Hosea 5:11; 12a)
The nation didn’t just make a half-hearted attempt to follow this commandment, nor did they fall into idolatry. The nation willingly chose to follow in idol worship. The reason that Israel would be oppressed and crushed was their openness to crave and embrace idolatry. Major red flags had been waving from Israel for many years, and God was about to bring the consequences against this spiritually dead nation.
4. Sound the bells: the curse of the fatal disease (Hosea 5:13)
The warning bells of sickness and disease are ringing. Ephraim sees a sickness, and Judah a wound/sore. The two nations know they have a serious problem, and this isn’t just physical. No doubt these terms refer to the spiritual problems plaguing the nations.
5. Hear the roar (Hosea 5:14)
This is no doubt a reference to Assyria as they tear Israel apart into pieces. But, noting the repetition of the word I demonstrates that God is behind the judgment.
Conclusion
Judgment is coming for our country. The warning signs are everywhere because idolatry and immorality are everywhere. What can you do, though? Stand like Hosea, Jeremiah, and Isaiah. Isaiah 8:12-13 (NET): “Do not say, ‘Conspiracy,’ every time these people say the word. Don’t be afraid of what scares them; don’t be terrified. You must recognize the authority of the LORD who commands armies. He is the one you must respect; he is the one you must fear.