Bible Discussion Thread

Comparison of Hosea 5:3 and 11:8

"I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, O Ephraim, you commit whoredom, and Israel is defiled." - Hosea 5:3

Hosea 11:8

"How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within me; my sympathy is stirred." - Hosea 11:8

In this admittedly bizarre story of the prophet Hosea God starts out commanding him to marry someone who came from a life of whoredom. As some may claim "Doth he not protest?" After all a Jew would take a virgin; especially in regard to the conduct of a prophet. Ezekiel 44:22 states And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but must marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow of a priest.

They must not marry widows or divorced women; they may marry only virgins of Israelite descent or widows of priests.

Part of being a prophet at that time was pretty much being alone as the nation had at this point; by and large sidelined much respect for them. In this case God had an object lesson for the prophet personally; no doubt along with the symbolic meanings and prophetic implications He was drawing out of the situation.

I'll let the reader study the details of the tribe of Ephriam here; but in the context of Hosea there are clearly judgments that are coming to pass due to the track record of false gods being worshipped. The concept of redemption is seen here as well with the prophet being compelled to buy her back after her infidelities; again on a personal note as no doubt forgiveness on his part had to be part of the equation although it is not discussed. It demonstrates the permanent aspects of God's covenants with His people; and also there are no doubt implications regarding a marriage covenant as well.

The central theme here no doubt is Christ; as God's love is demonstrated in His death for His people; a sordid and evil group of whom we all belonged

Hi Richard,

The problem of contradictions is not with God but with your weak reason. Faith is not adding some ideas you hold and it merely show how inadequate your premises are."But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken."(28.13)

God set a menu before Ezekiel where human dung was also included. He was a sign as Hosea. In marrying a whore he is obeying God and it is God who judges man's actions. Man's culture in the Bible belt creates incest and woman cannot abort because the life is precious. Has not a vulnerable maid right to her chastity and decent life? Instead if her father or one who is very close, violates her does she have to continue bearing the shame in order to please some foolish pastor? God is her judge and learn to read the word of God with the Spirit instead.