Oseas 4

1 Escuchad la palabra del SEÑOR, hijos de Israel, porque el SEÑOR tiene querella contra los habitantes de la tierra, pues no hay fidelidad, ni misericordia, ni conocimiento de Dios en la tierra.

2 Sólo hay perjurio, mentira, asesinato, robo y adulterio. Emplean la violencia, y homicidios tras homicidios se suceden.

3 Por eso la tierra está de luto, y languidece todo morador en ella junto con las bestias del campo y las aves del cielo; aun los peces del mar desaparecen.

4 Pero que nadie contienda ni nadie reprenda; porque tu pueblo es como los que contienden con el sacerdote.

5 Tropezarás de día, y tropezará también el profeta contigo de noche, y destruiré a tu madre.

6 Mi pueblo es destruido por falta de conocimiento. Por cuanto tú has rechazado el conocimiento, yo también te rechazaré para que no seas mi sacerdote; como has olvidado la ley de tu Dios, yo también me olvidaré de tus hijos.

7 Cuanto más se multiplicaron, más pecaron contra mí; cambiaré, pues, su gloria en afrenta.

8 Del pecado de mi pueblo se alimentan, y hacia su iniquidad dirigen sus deseos .

9 Como el pueblo, así será el sacerdote; los castigaré por su proceder, y les pagaré según sus obras.

10 Comerán, pero no se saciarán; se prostituirán, pero no se multiplicarán, porque han dejado de hacer caso al SEÑOR.

11 La prostitución, el vino y el mosto quitan el juicio.

12 Mi pueblo consulta a su ídolo de madera, y su vara les informa; porque un espíritu de prostitución los ha descarriado, y se han prostituido, apartándose de su Dios.

13 Ofrecen sacrificios sobre las cumbres de los montes y queman incienso sobre las colinas, debajo de las encinas, los álamos y los terebintos, porque su sombra es agradable. Por tanto, vuestras hijas se prostituyen, y vuestras nueras cometen adulterio.

14 No castigaré a vuestras hijas cuando se prostituyan ni a vuestras nueras cuando cometan adulterio, porque los hombres mismos se retiran con rameras y ofrecen sacrificios con las rameras del culto pagano ; así se pierde el pueblo sin entendimiento.

15 Aunque tú, Israel, te prostituyas, que no se haga culpable Judá; tampoco vayáis a Gilgal, ni subáis a Bet-avén, ni juréis: ¡Vive el SEÑOR!

16 Puesto que Israel es terco como novilla indómita, ¿los pastoreará ahora el SEÑOR como a un cordero en campo espacioso?

17 Efraín se ha unido a los ídolos; déjalo.

18 Acabada su bebida, se entregaron a la prostitución; sus príncipes aman mucho la ignominia.

19 El viento los envuelve en sus alas, y se avergonzarán de sus sacrificios.

Oseas 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

God's judgments against the sins of the people. (1-5) and of the priests. (6-11) Idolatry is reproved, and Judah is admonished. (12-19)

Verses 1-5 Hosea reproves for immorality, as well as idolatry. There was no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God in the land: it was ( 2 Kings. 21:16 ) which would desolate the country. Our sins, as separate persons, as a family, as a neighbourhood, as a nation, cause the Lord to have a controversy with us; let us submit and humble ourselves before Him, that he may not go on to destroy.

Verses 6-11 Both priests and people rejected knowledge; God will justly reject them. They forgot the law of God, neither desired nor endeavoured to retain it in mind, and to transmit the remembrance to their posterity; therefore God will justly forget them and their children. If we dishonour God with that which is our honour, it will, sooner or later, be turned into shame to us. Instead of warning the people against sin, from the consideration of the sacrifices, which showed what an offence sin was to God, since it needed an atonement, the priests encouraged the people to sin, since atonement might be made at so small an expense. It is very wicked to be pleased with the sins of others, because they may turn to our advantage. What is unlawfully gained, cannot be comfortably used. The people and the priests hardened one another in sin; therefore justly shall they share in the punishment. Sharers in sin must expect to share in ruin. Any lust harboured in the heart, in time will eat out all its strength and vigour. That is the reason why many professors grow so heavy, so dull, so dead in the way of religion. They have a liking for some secret lust, which takes away their hearts.

Verses 12-19 The people consulted images, and not the Divine word. This would lead to disorder and sin. Thus men prepare scourges for themselves, and vice is spread through a people. Let not Judah come near the idolatrous worship of Israel. For Israel was devoted to idols, and must now be let alone. When sinners cast off the easy yoke of Christ, they go on in sin till the Lord saith, Let them alone. Then they receive no more warnings, feel no more convictions: Satan takes full possession of them, and they ripen for destruction. It is a sad and sore judgment for any man to be let alone in sin. Those who are not disturbed in their sin, will be destroyed for their sin. May we be kept from this awful state; for the wrath of God, like a strong tempest, will soon hurry impenitent sinners into ruin.

Footnotes

• [a]. O, su alma
• [b]. I.e., como parte del rito pagano

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 4

This chapter contains a new sermon or prophecy, delivered in proper and express words, without types and figures, as before; in which the people of Israel are summoned to appear at the tribunal of God, to hear the charge brought against them, and the sentence to be pronounced upon them, and which would be executed. They are charged with sins of omission and commission; with want of truth and mercy to men, and with ignorance of God; with swearing, lying, murder, theft, and adultery, Ho 4:1,2, the punishment threatened is the sword, famine, and pestilence; which should affect the whole land, and all creatures in it, men, beasts, fowls, and fishes, Ho 4:3, then the priests and false prophets are threatened with falling into calamities along with the people, and with rejection from their office, and forgetfulness of their posterity, and a taking away their glory from them, because of their striving with the true prophets; their rejection of knowledge; forgetfulness of the law of God; covetousness, adultery, and drunkenness, Ho 4:4-11, then the discourse is turned to the people again, who are charged with divination and idolatry, which is spiritual adultery; and therefore, by way of retaliation, their wives and daughters would be left to commit adultery and fornication, Ho 4:12-14, and the chapter is concluded with advice to Israel not to tempt Judah to sin; or to Judah not to do the like, after the example of Israel, who were backsliders, idolaters, left of God and alone; guilty of bribery, and the like shameful things, and would be suddenly filled with shame, Ho 4:15-19.