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"Sacrifices on the mountaintops"

Text: Hosea 4:13

WIDESPREAD PRACTICE OF IDOLATRY

The practice of idolatry was extensive in Israel. It was not confined to the city. It was widespread.

“They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops,
And burn incense on the hills,
Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,
Because their shade is good.”
Hosea 4:13

1. “They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops”

a) Mountaintops were not easily accessible.

b) Popular belief suggested that deities existed in mountaintops.

c) Some would attempt to scale great heights to make sacrifices.

i) In the hope that these powerful deities would recognize the effort put in.

ii) And would then reward their effort and grant them blessings.

2. “And burn incense on the hills”

a) Incense was costly in those days.

b) Many of the ingredients needed to make good incense came from faraway places.

c) If the incense was costly then it reflected the sincerity of the worshippers.

d) The deities might then respect their efforts to worship them and they might bestow blessings.

3. Other popular areas where deities were supposed to favour:

a) Oaks

b) Poplars

c) Terebinths

d) These provided good shade and they took on a mystique that appealed to people.

4. The superstitions that grew and abound

a) These were propagated by folk stories.

b) With the passing of the years these stories became legends.

c) They were further promoted by:

i) Shrine priests

ii) Devotees

iii) Fueled by demonic spirits

d) These shrines drew devotees to make long and difficult pilgrimages.