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"Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel"

Text: Hosea 10:15

FALSE HOPES

Israel must not have false hopes in the war that Assyria would wage against the nation. False hopes would include the following:

1. That they could forestall the Assyrian invasion.

2. That they could negotiate their way out through offering tribute (money).

3. That their army was large and strong enough to withstand the might of the Assyrian forces.

4. That the idols they believed in would help them in this war.

5. That the LORD would give them a miraculous deliverance and defeat the Assyrian forces.

THE GRIM REALITY OF THE IMPENDING WAR

Hosea forewarned Israel of how the war would turn out. The Assyrians had already demonstrated their power and also their cruel treatment towards their enemies.

“Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel,
Because of your great wickedness.
At dawn the king of Israel
Shall be cut off utterly.”
Hosea 10:15

1. “Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel”

a) Bethel was highlighted for good reason.

i) It was the center of idolatrous worship.

ii) Bethel was the religious capital just as Samaria was the political capital.

b) The destruction of Bethel:

i) This would be symbolic.

ii) The idols worshipped there would be seen as powerless.

2. “Because of your great wickedness”

a) Idolatry itself was truly wickedness in God’s sight.

b) The practices associated with idolatry would be punished:

i) The sacrifice of children as part of worship.

ii) Temple prostitution was another evil.

iii) Disdaining the prophets of God and their messages was a third evil.

3. “At dawn the king of Israel shall be cut off utterly”

a) Hoshea would be the last king of Israel.

b) The Northern Kingdom of Israel would cease to exist.

c) Israel as a monarchy would be cut off utterly.