Hosea 6

Hosea 6:1

Arrogance of the Remnant

After Ezekiel’s mouth is opened, the word of the LORD comes to him (Ezekiel 33:23). The LORD tells him that there are still people left in the devastated land (Ezekiel 33:24). These people, however, are far from humbled by the judgment that has struck them and the land. Instead, they believe they have a special claim to the land. They point to Abraham. Abraham is only by himself if he is granted the land as an inheritance. They, on the other hand, are many, so they have that much more right to the land.

These people claim the land because of their numbers compared to Abraham, while they have no part in the faith of Abraham, but continue to sin (Ezekiel 33:25). They eat meat with the blood still in it, they bow down to their stink idols and act violently against their neighbor (cf. Jeremiah 41:2-7). With such wicked behavior, how do they think they can assert a right to the land and repossess it?

They do not lean on the LORD, but on their sword (Ezekiel 33:26). With it they commit violence and loot for themselves what they think they need. They commit atrocities and take the wife of their neighbor. Thus they continue to commit the heinous sins that brought God’s judgment on Jerusalem and Judah. So how do they think they can still keep the land? This section does show how hardened they are, how jaded in their feelings of what is sin in the eye of God.

Ezekiel is commanded to announce judgment to them (Ezekiel 33:27). Wherever they are, they will perish, whether by the sword, by the wild beasts, or by pestilence. Nothing will come of their proud, misplaced expectations (Ezekiel 33:28). All life will disappear from the land and from the mountains. When the LORD has made the land an even greater desolate waste than it already is, they will be forced to acknowledge that He is the LORD (Ezekiel 33:29).

Hosea 6:2

Arrogance of the Remnant

After Ezekiel’s mouth is opened, the word of the LORD comes to him (Ezekiel 33:23). The LORD tells him that there are still people left in the devastated land (Ezekiel 33:24). These people, however, are far from humbled by the judgment that has struck them and the land. Instead, they believe they have a special claim to the land. They point to Abraham. Abraham is only by himself if he is granted the land as an inheritance. They, on the other hand, are many, so they have that much more right to the land.

These people claim the land because of their numbers compared to Abraham, while they have no part in the faith of Abraham, but continue to sin (Ezekiel 33:25). They eat meat with the blood still in it, they bow down to their stink idols and act violently against their neighbor (cf. Jeremiah 41:2-7). With such wicked behavior, how do they think they can assert a right to the land and repossess it?

They do not lean on the LORD, but on their sword (Ezekiel 33:26). With it they commit violence and loot for themselves what they think they need. They commit atrocities and take the wife of their neighbor. Thus they continue to commit the heinous sins that brought God’s judgment on Jerusalem and Judah. So how do they think they can still keep the land? This section does show how hardened they are, how jaded in their feelings of what is sin in the eye of God.

Ezekiel is commanded to announce judgment to them (Ezekiel 33:27). Wherever they are, they will perish, whether by the sword, by the wild beasts, or by pestilence. Nothing will come of their proud, misplaced expectations (Ezekiel 33:28). All life will disappear from the land and from the mountains. When the LORD has made the land an even greater desolate waste than it already is, they will be forced to acknowledge that He is the LORD (Ezekiel 33:29).

Hosea 6:3

Arrogance of the Remnant

After Ezekiel’s mouth is opened, the word of the LORD comes to him (Ezekiel 33:23). The LORD tells him that there are still people left in the devastated land (Ezekiel 33:24). These people, however, are far from humbled by the judgment that has struck them and the land. Instead, they believe they have a special claim to the land. They point to Abraham. Abraham is only by himself if he is granted the land as an inheritance. They, on the other hand, are many, so they have that much more right to the land.

These people claim the land because of their numbers compared to Abraham, while they have no part in the faith of Abraham, but continue to sin (Ezekiel 33:25). They eat meat with the blood still in it, they bow down to their stink idols and act violently against their neighbor (cf. Jeremiah 41:2-7). With such wicked behavior, how do they think they can assert a right to the land and repossess it?

They do not lean on the LORD, but on their sword (Ezekiel 33:26). With it they commit violence and loot for themselves what they think they need. They commit atrocities and take the wife of their neighbor. Thus they continue to commit the heinous sins that brought God’s judgment on Jerusalem and Judah. So how do they think they can still keep the land? This section does show how hardened they are, how jaded in their feelings of what is sin in the eye of God.

Ezekiel is commanded to announce judgment to them (Ezekiel 33:27). Wherever they are, they will perish, whether by the sword, by the wild beasts, or by pestilence. Nothing will come of their proud, misplaced expectations (Ezekiel 33:28). All life will disappear from the land and from the mountains. When the LORD has made the land an even greater desolate waste than it already is, they will be forced to acknowledge that He is the LORD (Ezekiel 33:29).

Hosea 6:4

Arrogance of the Remnant

After Ezekiel’s mouth is opened, the word of the LORD comes to him (Ezekiel 33:23). The LORD tells him that there are still people left in the devastated land (Ezekiel 33:24). These people, however, are far from humbled by the judgment that has struck them and the land. Instead, they believe they have a special claim to the land. They point to Abraham. Abraham is only by himself if he is granted the land as an inheritance. They, on the other hand, are many, so they have that much more right to the land.

These people claim the land because of their numbers compared to Abraham, while they have no part in the faith of Abraham, but continue to sin (Ezekiel 33:25). They eat meat with the blood still in it, they bow down to their stink idols and act violently against their neighbor (cf. Jeremiah 41:2-7). With such wicked behavior, how do they think they can assert a right to the land and repossess it?

They do not lean on the LORD, but on their sword (Ezekiel 33:26). With it they commit violence and loot for themselves what they think they need. They commit atrocities and take the wife of their neighbor. Thus they continue to commit the heinous sins that brought God’s judgment on Jerusalem and Judah. So how do they think they can still keep the land? This section does show how hardened they are, how jaded in their feelings of what is sin in the eye of God.

Ezekiel is commanded to announce judgment to them (Ezekiel 33:27). Wherever they are, they will perish, whether by the sword, by the wild beasts, or by pestilence. Nothing will come of their proud, misplaced expectations (Ezekiel 33:28). All life will disappear from the land and from the mountains. When the LORD has made the land an even greater desolate waste than it already is, they will be forced to acknowledge that He is the LORD (Ezekiel 33:29).

Hosea 6:5

Arrogance of the Remnant

After Ezekiel’s mouth is opened, the word of the LORD comes to him (Ezekiel 33:23). The LORD tells him that there are still people left in the devastated land (Ezekiel 33:24). These people, however, are far from humbled by the judgment that has struck them and the land. Instead, they believe they have a special claim to the land. They point to Abraham. Abraham is only by himself if he is granted the land as an inheritance. They, on the other hand, are many, so they have that much more right to the land.

These people claim the land because of their numbers compared to Abraham, while they have no part in the faith of Abraham, but continue to sin (Ezekiel 33:25). They eat meat with the blood still in it, they bow down to their stink idols and act violently against their neighbor (cf. Jeremiah 41:2-7). With such wicked behavior, how do they think they can assert a right to the land and repossess it?

They do not lean on the LORD, but on their sword (Ezekiel 33:26). With it they commit violence and loot for themselves what they think they need. They commit atrocities and take the wife of their neighbor. Thus they continue to commit the heinous sins that brought God’s judgment on Jerusalem and Judah. So how do they think they can still keep the land? This section does show how hardened they are, how jaded in their feelings of what is sin in the eye of God.

Ezekiel is commanded to announce judgment to them (Ezekiel 33:27). Wherever they are, they will perish, whether by the sword, by the wild beasts, or by pestilence. Nothing will come of their proud, misplaced expectations (Ezekiel 33:28). All life will disappear from the land and from the mountains. When the LORD has made the land an even greater desolate waste than it already is, they will be forced to acknowledge that He is the LORD (Ezekiel 33:29).

Hosea 6:6

Hearing, but Not Doing

The LORD lets Ezekiel know that the exiles, his fellow citizens, are talking about him a lot (Ezekiel 33:30): ‘Ezekiel has been absolutely right, then, in his predictions of the downfall of Jerusalem. Then he is the man we should be with to hear the word of the LORD.’ Ezekiel is suddenly popular. The LORD warns him not to be mistaken about the crowds coming to him (Ezekiel 33:31). They do come to him in large numbers and flatter him greatly, but their heart goes after their gain. The call to turn is not taken seriously by them; what matters is that something benefits them (cf. Ezekiel 22:13; 27).

It is a great trap for a servant of God when people like to come to him because he can speak so beautifully about the Lord. So they come to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 33:32). He can say it so beautifully. But the content of the prophet’s words does nothing at all with them. They are not open to it. They hear his words, but to their meaning they are deaf. They are hearers, but not doers of the word (James 1:22-25; Matthew 7:24-27).

It is a matter of great sorrow for every true servant of the Lord when people love to listen to him, but that his words have no effect in the hearts and lives of the listeners. The response should not be: ‘What knowledge this man has’, but: ‘The Lord has spoken clearly to me. Now I know what to do.’

The spoken word of the LORD will not return empty (Ezekiel 33:33; cf. Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 6:7-8). Though at the time there is no humble bowing to what He has spoken through His servant, the time is coming when all that has been spoken in His Name will be acknowledged. Then all who have heard it will have to acknowledge that there has been a prophet in their midst.

Hosea 6:7

Hearing, but Not Doing

The LORD lets Ezekiel know that the exiles, his fellow citizens, are talking about him a lot (Ezekiel 33:30): ‘Ezekiel has been absolutely right, then, in his predictions of the downfall of Jerusalem. Then he is the man we should be with to hear the word of the LORD.’ Ezekiel is suddenly popular. The LORD warns him not to be mistaken about the crowds coming to him (Ezekiel 33:31). They do come to him in large numbers and flatter him greatly, but their heart goes after their gain. The call to turn is not taken seriously by them; what matters is that something benefits them (cf. Ezekiel 22:13; 27).

It is a great trap for a servant of God when people like to come to him because he can speak so beautifully about the Lord. So they come to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 33:32). He can say it so beautifully. But the content of the prophet’s words does nothing at all with them. They are not open to it. They hear his words, but to their meaning they are deaf. They are hearers, but not doers of the word (James 1:22-25; Matthew 7:24-27).

It is a matter of great sorrow for every true servant of the Lord when people love to listen to him, but that his words have no effect in the hearts and lives of the listeners. The response should not be: ‘What knowledge this man has’, but: ‘The Lord has spoken clearly to me. Now I know what to do.’

The spoken word of the LORD will not return empty (Ezekiel 33:33; cf. Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 6:7-8). Though at the time there is no humble bowing to what He has spoken through His servant, the time is coming when all that has been spoken in His Name will be acknowledged. Then all who have heard it will have to acknowledge that there has been a prophet in their midst.

Hosea 6:8

Hearing, but Not Doing

The LORD lets Ezekiel know that the exiles, his fellow citizens, are talking about him a lot (Ezekiel 33:30): ‘Ezekiel has been absolutely right, then, in his predictions of the downfall of Jerusalem. Then he is the man we should be with to hear the word of the LORD.’ Ezekiel is suddenly popular. The LORD warns him not to be mistaken about the crowds coming to him (Ezekiel 33:31). They do come to him in large numbers and flatter him greatly, but their heart goes after their gain. The call to turn is not taken seriously by them; what matters is that something benefits them (cf. Ezekiel 22:13; 27).

It is a great trap for a servant of God when people like to come to him because he can speak so beautifully about the Lord. So they come to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 33:32). He can say it so beautifully. But the content of the prophet’s words does nothing at all with them. They are not open to it. They hear his words, but to their meaning they are deaf. They are hearers, but not doers of the word (James 1:22-25; Matthew 7:24-27).

It is a matter of great sorrow for every true servant of the Lord when people love to listen to him, but that his words have no effect in the hearts and lives of the listeners. The response should not be: ‘What knowledge this man has’, but: ‘The Lord has spoken clearly to me. Now I know what to do.’

The spoken word of the LORD will not return empty (Ezekiel 33:33; cf. Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 6:7-8). Though at the time there is no humble bowing to what He has spoken through His servant, the time is coming when all that has been spoken in His Name will be acknowledged. Then all who have heard it will have to acknowledge that there has been a prophet in their midst.

Hosea 6:9

Hearing, but Not Doing

The LORD lets Ezekiel know that the exiles, his fellow citizens, are talking about him a lot (Ezekiel 33:30): ‘Ezekiel has been absolutely right, then, in his predictions of the downfall of Jerusalem. Then he is the man we should be with to hear the word of the LORD.’ Ezekiel is suddenly popular. The LORD warns him not to be mistaken about the crowds coming to him (Ezekiel 33:31). They do come to him in large numbers and flatter him greatly, but their heart goes after their gain. The call to turn is not taken seriously by them; what matters is that something benefits them (cf. Ezekiel 22:13; 27).

It is a great trap for a servant of God when people like to come to him because he can speak so beautifully about the Lord. So they come to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 33:32). He can say it so beautifully. But the content of the prophet’s words does nothing at all with them. They are not open to it. They hear his words, but to their meaning they are deaf. They are hearers, but not doers of the word (James 1:22-25; Matthew 7:24-27).

It is a matter of great sorrow for every true servant of the Lord when people love to listen to him, but that his words have no effect in the hearts and lives of the listeners. The response should not be: ‘What knowledge this man has’, but: ‘The Lord has spoken clearly to me. Now I know what to do.’

The spoken word of the LORD will not return empty (Ezekiel 33:33; cf. Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 6:7-8). Though at the time there is no humble bowing to what He has spoken through His servant, the time is coming when all that has been spoken in His Name will be acknowledged. Then all who have heard it will have to acknowledge that there has been a prophet in their midst.

Hosea 6:11

Introduction

Israel’s sins and judgment are primarily due to a corrupt and selfish leadership. The first step toward the restoration of the people is to replace the worthless shepherds with the true Shepherd. This chapter deals with the situation of Israel after the fall of Jerusalem until the time the Lord Jesus returns. Thus, that situation also applies today (cf. Luke 21:24b; Jeremiah 23:1-8).

‘Woe’ to the False Shepherds

The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 34:1). He is commanded to prophesy to the shepherds of Israel, that is, to predict judgment on them (Ezekiel 34:2). The shepherds are the leaders of the people. To them he is to pronounce “woe” (cf. Matthew 23:13; 15; 16; 23; 25; 27; 29). Without introduction, “the Lord GOD” gives the reason for His ‘woe’: these shepherds think only of themselves instead of the sheep. They should be there for the sheep, but they see the sheep as objects they can feast on.

In Ezekiel 34:3-6 there follows a whole list of accusations showing that the sheep are not in any way their concern, but that they are exploiting those sheep. The tense form in which Ezekiel 34:3 appears shows that they do not do this only occasionally, but that they behave in this way constantly. The emphasis is on the fact that the shepherds are only after one thing and that is gain (cf. Ezekiel 33:31): - “You eat the fat (i.e. the best, cf. Leviticus 3:3; Leviticus 3:14; Leviticus 4:8; Leviticus 7:30; Leviticus 7:31; Leviticus 8:25; 1 Samuel 2:15) - and you clothe yourself with the wool (cf. Ezekiel 44:17); - you slaughter the fat [sheep] (cf. Zechariah 11:16), - without feeding the flock.”

In Ezekiel 34:4, six crimes are described. Five of them are crimes of negligence, things they don’t do when they should be expected to. It is deliberate, culpable negligence. The sixth crime is what they do, when they should not. Instead of caring for the vulnerable sheep, they exploit those sheep: - “Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, - the diseased you have not healed, - the broken you have not bound up, - the scattered you have not brought back, - nor have you sought for the lost; - but with force and with severity you have dominated them.”

In Ezekiel 34:5-6 the LORD holds up the consequences of the unmerciful treatment of the sheep to the cruel, selfish shepherds: - “They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, - and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered” (Ezekiel 34:5). - “My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; - My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, - and there was no one to search - or seek [for them]” (Ezekiel 34:6).

Instead of caring for the sheep, protecting them and keeping them together, the shepherds of Israel terrorize the sheep. Then they leave them to their own devices, making them prey for the predators, which are nations like Edom, Syria, Ammon, Moab, by whom they are scattered. All cohesion is gone. They are scattered sheep and therefore even more vulnerable. There is no one from the cruel leaders who pays any attention to them at all, let alone anyone who goes searching or seeking for them to help them.

These shepherds, the leaders of the people, are not shepherds, but wolves and are in everything the opposite of the Lord Jesus, Who is the good Shepherd. When He sees the crowds, He is moved with compassion for them, “because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). He has given His life for the sheep, He seeks for them, He saves them, He protects them (John 10:11) and He makes them one flock. The good under-shepherds follow Him in this (1 Peter 5:1-4).

The heartless actions of the false shepherds call down God’s judgment on them (Ezekiel 34:7). The LORD calls them to listen to His judgment (Ezekiel 34:8). In saying, “as I live”, He implores that He will punish this evil. That is how seriously He takes their misconduct. The gravity of their sins concerns not only the sheep, but especially the fact that they are His sheep. Never does He give up the right to His sheep, even though He delegates the care of those sheep to under-shepherds. He blames the shepherds for making His sheep prey for themselves and also food for all the beasts of the field.

What happens to the sheep is because there is no shepherd to care for them. And those shepherds are still “My shepherds”, as the LORD says. He has appointed them. But the shepherds have gone their own way, thinking only of themselves. They have fed only themselves and not the sheep of the LORD.

Once again the urgent call to the shepherds to listen to the word of the LORD is heard (Ezekiel 34:9). It shows the deep indignation of the LORD. He says He is against the shepherds, He will call those shepherds to account and judge them (Ezekiel 34:10). He will demand the sheep from them – because they are His sheep – and He will remove the shepherds from their function. Then for the shepherds it is over and done with feeding themselves. He will rescue His sheep from their mouth, so that the sheep will no longer be their food.