“Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1).
When troubling times arise within a people, it is proper to seek for causes and solutions. The fact that Israel was on the opposite side of the Lord would be trouble enough. There are three specific areas where the nation was in conflict with God. Consider these three and see how relevant such is for today.
1. Foundation of Confidence: Truth. The word here translated “truth” (Hosea 4:1, KJV) is from the Hebrew word meaning “firmness, faithfulness, truth” (Brown, Driver, Briggs, p. 54). It denotes the attribute of one who can be relied upon as truth is consistent. Falsehood can never be trusted as it will never be consistent with the facts of reality. The rule of truth and right were not the path chosen by the northern kingdom. They had drifted into the idolatry of the land and had become like unto their own human religions (cf. Ps. 115:8). The nation was decaying from within. Hosea described the moral climate of the time, where he wrote, “By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood” (Hosea 4:2). They had lost their moral compass and turned to the flesh for their guidance. Their consciences were now trained to follow their own ways.
2. Foundation of Compassion: Mercy. The word here translated “mercy” (Hosea 4:1, KJV) is from the Hebrew word meaning “goodness, kindness” (Brown, Driver, Briggs, p. 338). It is interesting to read another translation of this passage, which says, “Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1, ESV). Mercy and truth are hallmark qualities of the way of God (cf. Ps. 25:10). The Lord looks for people to respond in the same manner. When people turn from God to follow their own ways, abuse and injustice often become visible to society. The milk of human kindness is seen in fewer instances. When men turn to the fleshly ways of the world, great qualities like these suffer in appearance.
3. Foundation of Character: Knowledge of God. Knowing God is more than simply knowing the facts of the Bible about God. Consider this point made toward Jehoiakim, son of Josiah about his father. “Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the Lord” (Jer. 22:15-16). Josiah developed his character around the ways of God, thus he came to know God. John wrote in the New Testament, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). Hosea would further declare that the nation was destroying itself because of a lack of knowledge (cf. Hosea 4:6). Remember, “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34).
Jimmy Clark