The Prophetic Wisdom Of HoseaChikamu

Unfolding Hope: Hosea 10:1-15

Hosea’s focus on God’s unfolding judgment, began with two of God’s lawsuits. God’s earlier lawsuit, concerning Assyria’s invasion in 732 B.C., took place when either Uzziah or Jotham ruled as righteous kings in Judah. So, in this opening section of the second division, we still find positive words about Judah. In fact, God revealed a striking contrast between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. In chapter 4:15 God said, “Though you play the whore, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty.” In this earlier lawsuit, God simply warned Judah not to become like the northern kingdom.

But the same cannot be said of God’s later lawsuit that was revealed to Hosea as the Assyrian invasion of 732 B.C. drew near. At this stage in Hosea’s ministry, Ahaz had begun to rule in Judah. Ahaz promoted idolatry and injustice and trusted in an alliance with Assyria and Assyria’s gods to gain protection from his enemies. So, in chapter 5:5, God announced his judgment that “Israel … shall stumble in his guilt; Judah also shall stumble with them.” And indeed, Judah suffered in many ways as the Syrian-Israelite coalition took place at this time. 

Hosea’s revelations concerning God’s calls for alarm also addressed conditions in Judah. In the first call for alarm, Hosea prophesied about Assyria’s invasion of Israel in 722 B.C. In all likelihood, Ahaz was still king in Judah at this time. And in chapter 5:10 we read, “The princes of Judah have become like those who move the landmark.” Many interpreters believe this passage refers to Ahaz’ attempt to annex territories in Benjamin in retaliation for Israel’s attacks during the Syrian-Israelite coalition. If this interpretation is correct, rather than seeking the healing of God’s people, Judah violated Israel’s land-inheritance rights. And in response, in verses 10-14, God threatened Judah saying, “I will pour out my wrath like [flood]water… I am … like dry rot to the house of Judah… like a young lion to the house of Judah. I … will tear and go away; I will carry off, and no one shall rescue.” With these words, Hosea predicted the horrors of Sennacherib’s invasion that would come to Judah in 701 B.C. God also accused Judah of testing his patience at this stage by their hypocrisy when he asked Judah in chapter 6:4, “What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.” And God threatened judgment against Judah in verse 11 when he said, “For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed.” The “harvest” appointed for Judah was most likely Judah’s upcoming troubles at the hands of the Assyrians.

Now, consider what God said about Judah in his second call for alarm as the destruction of Samaria in 722 B.C. came even closer. This was probably while Ahaz and Hezekiah were co-regents in Judah. In chapter 8:14, God noted that “Judah has multiplied fortified cities,” a reference to Hezekiah’s efforts to fortify Judah against Assyria. Of course, building fortifications was not sinful in itself. But Hezekiah’s fortifications were a symbol of his rebellion against God because, in addition to his fortifications, he also sought protection from Assyria through an alliance with Egypt and Egypt’s gods. As a result, God threatened judgment in verse 14 saying, “I will send a fire upon his cities.” This threat was fulfilled when Sennacherib invaded Judah in 701 B.C.