Pictures Of – and Punishments For – Idolatry

Hosea 5

1. The Pervasive Problem of Idolatry

          King Saul’s Unacceptable and False Worship (1 Samuel 15, esp. vv. 22-23)

            The LORD God does not accept worship that is:

Worshipping things other than God/false fods (Ex 20:1-6; Romans 1)

Worshipping the true God the wrong way (Golden Calf - Ex 32, esp. v. 4)

Worshipping the true God in a self-styled manner (Nadab & Abihu Lev 10)

Worshipping the true God in a wrong attitude or syncretism (Amos 5:21-27)

Supplanting and Subverting God’s way with man’s way (Matt 15:7-9; Is 29:13)

2. The Permeating Problem of Idolatry: Private and Public (Hosea 5:1-7)

          Though they had religious zeal, it was unacceptable to YHWH

3. The LORD’s Punishment for Israel’s Idolatrous Propensity (Hosea 5:8-15)

Follow how the LORD describes Himself here (Hosea 5:10, 12, 14)

What should their response be to the LORD’s judgment? (Hosea 5:15)

Conclusion: You’ve Been Warned! Return to God While You Can!

The Old Testament New Testament Connection:

Learn from the unfaithful ones before you, “Do not be idolaters”
           (1 Cor 10:1-12, esp. 7)

A true Christian is dead to idolatry, your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-7)

Crucified with Christ, live by faith in the Son of God (Gal 2:20)

            KNOW the Lord! (Hos 4:1, 6, 10-12; 5:4, 15; John 17:3; 1 John 5:20)