Book of Hosea Chapter 4 Vs. 1

 The Lord Accuses Israel

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. Hos. 4:1

Hear the word... The 6th prophecy in Hosea (Hos. 4:1-19, fulfilled). Next, Hos. 5:1.

Twenty Predictions—Fulfilled:

1. The land will mourn (Hos. 4:3).

2. Every man will languish with the beasts and fowls.

3. Fish will be taken away.

4. You will fall in the day (Hos. 4:5).

5. The prophet will fall with you in the night.

6. I will destroy your mother.

7. I will reject you (Hos. 4:6).

8. You will not be a priest to Me.

9. I will also forget your children.

10. I will change their glory to shame (Hos. 4:7).

11. I will punish them for their ways (Hos. 4:9).

12. I will reward their doings.

13. They will eat and not have enough.

14. They will commit whoredom and not increase (Hos. 4:10).

15. Your daughters will commit whoredom (Hos. 4:13).

16. Your spouses will commit adultery.

17. I will not punish them (Hos. 4:14).

18. The people that do not understand will fall.

19. The Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place (Hos. 4:16).

20. They will be ashamed because of their sacrifices (Hos. 4:19).

controversy with the... A judicial inquiry and cause. Compare Hos. 3:1-5:13-14; Hos. 12:2; Isa. 1:18; 34:8; Jer. 25:31; Mic. 6:2. Turning from the analogy of his own marriage, the prophet made the judicial charge in God’s indictment against Israel. We have stressed so much in these lessons, that wisdom is a gift from God, but knowledge takes an effort upon our part. Knowledge is accumulated learning. Notice, first they must hear the Word of God. The Word is spoken through the prophet Hosea, but he is like an "ambassador", who brings someone else's message to the people. In this case, it is God's message.

because there is... Four great reasons for God’s controversy:

1. There is no truth in the land (Hos. 4:1).

2. There is no mercy in Israel.

3. There is no knowledge of God.

4. Sins of Israel (Hos. 4:2).

The purpose of this Bible study is so that we can accumulate more learning and understanding of God's Word. The land spoken of (in verse 1 above), is a perfect description of our land today. They are at odds with God. They are disobedient to His Word. Truth and mercy are both God's gift to mankind. The knowledge of the will of God for their lives was far from them, because they did not diligently seek the truth and knowledge.

Hosea’s Message: God’s Judgment and Restoration of Israel

The remainder of Hosea’s prophecy expands the message of the first three chapters. Though emphasis is placed on Israel’s guilt and impending doom, each of the three major sections (4:1-6:3; 6:4-11:11; 11:12-14:9) concludes on a positive note by referring to Israel’s restoration.

The Lord’s case against Israel

This first judgment-salvation cycle is comprised of three parts. Hos. 4:1-19 focuses on the sins of the Northern Kingdom, while Hos. 5:1-15 establishes the guilt of the entire nation (Judah included) and announces judgment. In 5:15b-6:3 Israel’s repentance is envisioned.

Israel’s Guilt Exposed

The guilt of the Northern Kingdom is the main theme of this opening judgment speech. The people and their leaders (prophets, rulers, and esp. priests) were the objects of God’s displeasure. While most of the verses are accusatory in tone, announcements of forthcoming judgment are also scattered throughout (cf. Hos. 4:6-10).

Breach of covenant

Hosea began this section with an indictment (charge, rı̂ḇ; cf. “charge” in Hos. 12:2 and the verb rı̂ḇ, “rebuke,” in Hos. 2:2) of the nation for breach of covenant. The people were devoid of the qualities that were to characterize life within God’s covenant. They failed to exhibit faithfulness and love (ḥeseḏ; cf. Hos. 2:19) and did not acknowledge God as their covenant Lord.