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"I will also cause all her mirth to cease"

Text: Hosea 2:11

RELIGIOUS FESTIVITIES

Religious activities drew many to the shrines and temples that had sprouted all over Israel since the days of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. These continued to draw many to believe that they were worshipping God.

“I will also cause all her mirth to cease,
Her feast days,
Her New Moons,
Her Sabbaths-
All her appointed feasts.”
Hosea 2:11

1. Jeroboam I and his plans

a) He came up with plans to establish Israel’s religion.

b) Israel was a new kingdom (Northern Kingdom).

c) He feared that his people would reunite with Judah if they kept going to Jerusalem for worship.

2. The religious activities for the Northern kingdom

a) They worshiped golden calves.

i) One was installed in Bethel.

ii) Another one was set up in Dan (1 Kings 12:29).

b) Shrines on the high places

(1 Kings 12:31).

c) He even set up his own priestly system (1 Kings 12:31).

d) He set up feast days like the ones in Judah (1 Kings 12:32).

e) These plans were devised out of his own heart (1 Kings 12:33).

3. “I will also cause all her mirth to cease”

a) This word applied to both:

i) Judah

ii) Israel

b) Mirth

i) Celebration

ii) Human joy

4. The feasts that God rejected

a) Feast Days, New Moons, Sabbaths.

b) The Lord tests the heart and He sees all things.

c) He knew the hypocrisy of the people.

d) They offered worship to the LORD God and many other idols (Isaiah 1:12-15).