Hosea 4:17
Verse
Context
Sermons
C.H. Spurgeon
Harry Ironside
E.A. Johnston
Thomas Brooks
George Kulp
Arno Clemens Gaebelein Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ephraim - The ten tribes. Is joined to idols - Is become incorporated with false gods. Let him alone - They are irreclaimable, leave them to the consequences of their vicious conduct.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
"Ephraim is joined to idols, let it alone." חבוּר עצבּים, bound up with idols, so that it cannot give them up. Ephraim, the most powerful of the ten tribes, is frequently used in the loftier style of the prophets for Israel of the ten tribes. הנּח־לו, as in Sa2 16:11; Kg2 23:18, let him do as he likes, or remain as he is. Every attempt to bring the nation away from its idolatry is vain. The expression hannach-lō does not necessitate the assumption, however, that these words of Jehovah are addressed to the prophets. They are taken from the language of ordinary life, and simply mean: it may continue in its idolatry, the punishment will not long be delayed.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ephraim--the ten tribes. Judah was at this time not so given to idolatry as afterwards. joined to--closely and voluntarily; identifying themselves with them as a whoremonger becomes one flesh with the harlot (Num 25:3; Co1 6:16-17). idols--The Hebrew means also "sorrows," "pains," implying the pain which idolatry brings on its votaries. let him alone--Leave him to himself. Let him reap the fruits of his own perverse choice; his case is desperate; say nothing to him (compare Jer 7:16). Here Hos 4:15 shows the address is to Judah, to avoid the contagion of Israel's bad example. He is bent on his own ruin; leave him to his fate, lest, instead of saving him, thou fall thyself (Isa 48:20; Jer 50:8; Jer 51:6, Jer 51:45; Co2 6:17).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Ephraim is joined to idols,.... That is, the ten tribes of Israel, frequently so called after their separation from the rest, because that Jeroboam, by whom the revolt was made, was of that tribe; and because that tribe was the principal of them, and Samaria, the metropolis of their kingdom, was in it: and so the Targum here renders it, "the house of Israel are joined to idols;'' to the calves at Dan and Bethel; to Baal, and other idols, they worshipped: the phrase expresses their strong affection for them, their constant worship of them, and their obstinate persisting therein, and the difficulty there was of bringing them off of it; they cleaved to their idols, were glued, and as it were wedded unto them, and there was no separating of them; as men are, who are addicted to the lusts of the flesh, to the mammon of unrighteousness, or to their own self-righteousness, or to any idol they set up in their hearts as such: hence it follows, let them alone: which are either the words of the Lord to the prophet, enjoining him to prophesy no more to them; to reprove them no more for their sins, since it was all to no purpose, there was no reclaiming them, so Jarchi and Kimchi; and therefore let them alone, let them go on in their sins, and in their errors, and in their superstition and idolatry; see Eze 3:26. God was determined to let them alone himself, and therefore bids his prophet to do so likewise: and sad is the case with men when he lets them alone, and will not disturb their consciences any more by jogs and convictions, but gives them up to a seared conscience, to hardness of heart, and to their own lusts; when he will not hedge up their way with thorns, or distress them with afflictive providences, and hinder them from going on in a course of sin and wickedness; nor give them restraining grace, but suffer them to go on in the broad road, till they drop into hell; and says of them, let him that is filthy be filthy still, Rev 22:11 or else they are the words of the prophet to the men of Judah, to have nothing to do with Israel, since they were such backsliders and idolaters; to have no communion and conversation with them, but let them be alone, and worship alone for them; since what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness, light with darkness, Christ with Belial, a believer with an infidel, or the temple of the living God with idols and idolaters? Co2 6:14, some take them to be the words of the prophet to God concerning Israel, approving of his righteous judgments, in threatening to feed them as a lamb in a large place; dismiss him thither, suffer and leave him to feed there. The Targum interprets it of their sin, and not their punishment, "they have left their worship;'' the service of God.
Hosea 4:17
God’s Case against His People
16For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow? 17Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! 18When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Grieving the Holy Spirit
By C.H. Spurgeon4.5K42:57JDG 16:20PSA 119:105ISA 66:8HOS 4:17MAL 3:10MRK 16:16ACT 3:19In this sermon, the speaker discusses the experience of feeling distant from God and lacking spiritual understanding, comfort, and power. He emphasizes the need for individuals and churches to humble themselves before God and seek His presence and revival. The speaker acknowledges the current state of many churches, expressing a desire to see a greater outpouring of God's grace and the salvation of many souls. He encourages believers to recognize their own weaknesses and the patience of God in teaching them, comparing it to Jesus becoming a baby and the Holy Spirit becoming a teacher of babes.
Boast Not Thyself
By Harry Ironside2.5K06:46SalvationPRO 27:1HOS 4:17MAT 24:36LUK 12:202CO 6:2HEB 9:27In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not procrastinating when it comes to accepting the gospel and becoming a Christian. He warns that many people in a land where the gospel is widely known are lost not because they are ignorant of the faith, but because they continually put off making a decision. The preacher quotes Proverbs 27:1, which advises against boasting about tomorrow because we do not know what the future holds. He also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting people of sin and urging them to repent, but warns that one can resist the Spirit's pleading for so long that it may eventually be too late. The sermon concludes with an exhortation to seize the present moment and turn to God in repentance and faith.
America: Reprobate Nation?
By E.A. Johnston1.2K19:01AmericaGEN 19:24HOS 4:171TI 4:2TIT 1:15In this sermon, the preacher highlights the excessive use of cell phones and the internet in today's society, suggesting that it has led to a disconnection from God's creation. The preacher also warns that this addiction to technology could potentially be used by the Antichrist to control the masses. The sermon then shifts focus to the decline of religious denominations and the changing moral landscape of America. The preacher points out the economic crisis, natural disasters, and increase in violent crimes as signs of God's judgment on the nation due to its acceptance of sexual perversion.
The Presence of the Lord With His People, and Its Effect
By J.B. Stoney0JDG 16:21PSA 25:14EZK 14:4HOS 4:17HAB 1:13MAT 28:20JHN 4:391CO 1:231CO 11:19J.B. Stoney preaches about the presence of the Lord with His people, emphasizing that His presence is often revealed through the exposure of hidden sins and the purification of His church. When God is near, He exposes unconfessed iniquity and calls for repentance, both in individuals and in the assembly. The Lord's presence brings about a separation of the faithful from the lukewarm and worldly, leading to a clearer acknowledgment of His truth and the removal of hindrances to genuine revival.
A Soul Given Up to Sin
By Thomas Brooks0SinDivine JudgmentPSA 81:12PRO 14:12JER 17:9EZK 18:30HOS 4:17MAT 7:13ROM 1:24GAL 6:7JAS 1:141PE 5:8Thomas Brooks emphasizes the grave danger of being left to sin, portraying it as the greatest judgment one can face. He warns that when God allows a person to follow their sinful inclinations without resistance, it signifies His rejection and a path leading to destruction. Brooks reflects on the dire state of those who are unteachable and incorrigible, highlighting the need for divine intervention to avoid the ways of one's own heart. He expresses a deep desire for God to afflict or tempt him rather than abandon him to his own sinful desires, echoing Augustine's plea for deliverance from oneself.
The Awful Void
By George Kulp0JOS 24:151SA 15:221SA 28:15PRO 29:1HOS 4:17MAT 18:4LUK 9:62EPH 4:30HEB 6:4HEB 10:26George Kulp delivers a powerful sermon on the consequences of spiritual suicide, using the story of King Saul as a cautionary tale. Saul, once anointed by God and filled with the Spirit, disobeyed repeatedly until God departed from him, leaving him in eternal damnation. Kulp urges the congregation to reflect on their own spiritual state, emphasizing the importance of humility, obedience, and a living relationship with God to avoid a similar fate.
What Have I to Do With Idols?
By Arno Clemens Gaebelein0ISA 33:17HOS 4:17HOS 7:8HOS 7:11HOS 8:11HOS 13:8HOS 14:8LUK 22:61JHN 11:35ACT 7:55COL 3:5Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches on the story of Ephraim in the book of Hosea, highlighting how despite all reproof and chastisement, Ephraim remained joined to idols until he heard and observed the Lord, leading to his conversion and forsaking of idols. Gaebelein emphasizes the importance of being separated from idols and walking wholly with the Lord through heart occupation with Him, conscious communion through His Word, and beholding His glory and beauty. The preacher urges believers to have the Lord constantly before their eyes and hearts to avoid being drawn back to idols.
Russian Roulette
By Jack Hyles0GEN 6:3GEN 15:16EXO 8:1HOS 4:17MAT 24:42ROM 1:26ROM 1:28HEB 9:27Jack Hyles preaches about the spiritual Russian Roulette many play, more dangerous than any man-made game, highlighting the certainty of facing three set dates in life: the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the date of one's death, and the last chance for salvation. Urging listeners to be prepared for the unknown, as Jesus could come at any moment, death is inevitable, and the last chance for salvation may pass unexpectedly. Hyles shares personal stories emphasizing the importance of not delaying in accepting Christ and avoiding playing Russian Roulette with God.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ephraim - The ten tribes. Is joined to idols - Is become incorporated with false gods. Let him alone - They are irreclaimable, leave them to the consequences of their vicious conduct.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
"Ephraim is joined to idols, let it alone." חבוּר עצבּים, bound up with idols, so that it cannot give them up. Ephraim, the most powerful of the ten tribes, is frequently used in the loftier style of the prophets for Israel of the ten tribes. הנּח־לו, as in Sa2 16:11; Kg2 23:18, let him do as he likes, or remain as he is. Every attempt to bring the nation away from its idolatry is vain. The expression hannach-lō does not necessitate the assumption, however, that these words of Jehovah are addressed to the prophets. They are taken from the language of ordinary life, and simply mean: it may continue in its idolatry, the punishment will not long be delayed.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ephraim--the ten tribes. Judah was at this time not so given to idolatry as afterwards. joined to--closely and voluntarily; identifying themselves with them as a whoremonger becomes one flesh with the harlot (Num 25:3; Co1 6:16-17). idols--The Hebrew means also "sorrows," "pains," implying the pain which idolatry brings on its votaries. let him alone--Leave him to himself. Let him reap the fruits of his own perverse choice; his case is desperate; say nothing to him (compare Jer 7:16). Here Hos 4:15 shows the address is to Judah, to avoid the contagion of Israel's bad example. He is bent on his own ruin; leave him to his fate, lest, instead of saving him, thou fall thyself (Isa 48:20; Jer 50:8; Jer 51:6, Jer 51:45; Co2 6:17).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Ephraim is joined to idols,.... That is, the ten tribes of Israel, frequently so called after their separation from the rest, because that Jeroboam, by whom the revolt was made, was of that tribe; and because that tribe was the principal of them, and Samaria, the metropolis of their kingdom, was in it: and so the Targum here renders it, "the house of Israel are joined to idols;'' to the calves at Dan and Bethel; to Baal, and other idols, they worshipped: the phrase expresses their strong affection for them, their constant worship of them, and their obstinate persisting therein, and the difficulty there was of bringing them off of it; they cleaved to their idols, were glued, and as it were wedded unto them, and there was no separating of them; as men are, who are addicted to the lusts of the flesh, to the mammon of unrighteousness, or to their own self-righteousness, or to any idol they set up in their hearts as such: hence it follows, let them alone: which are either the words of the Lord to the prophet, enjoining him to prophesy no more to them; to reprove them no more for their sins, since it was all to no purpose, there was no reclaiming them, so Jarchi and Kimchi; and therefore let them alone, let them go on in their sins, and in their errors, and in their superstition and idolatry; see Eze 3:26. God was determined to let them alone himself, and therefore bids his prophet to do so likewise: and sad is the case with men when he lets them alone, and will not disturb their consciences any more by jogs and convictions, but gives them up to a seared conscience, to hardness of heart, and to their own lusts; when he will not hedge up their way with thorns, or distress them with afflictive providences, and hinder them from going on in a course of sin and wickedness; nor give them restraining grace, but suffer them to go on in the broad road, till they drop into hell; and says of them, let him that is filthy be filthy still, Rev 22:11 or else they are the words of the prophet to the men of Judah, to have nothing to do with Israel, since they were such backsliders and idolaters; to have no communion and conversation with them, but let them be alone, and worship alone for them; since what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness, light with darkness, Christ with Belial, a believer with an infidel, or the temple of the living God with idols and idolaters? Co2 6:14, some take them to be the words of the prophet to God concerning Israel, approving of his righteous judgments, in threatening to feed them as a lamb in a large place; dismiss him thither, suffer and leave him to feed there. The Targum interprets it of their sin, and not their punishment, "they have left their worship;'' the service of God.