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"As bands of robbers"

Text: Hosea 6:9

THE POOR MORAL STATE OF ISRAEL

Israel had descended lower and lower in its moral consciousness and responsibility with the passing of the years. The following text gives a hint as to why Israel was destined to be judged severely by the Lord.

“As bands of robbers lie in wait for a man,
So the company of priests murder on the way to Shechem;
Surely they commit lewdness.”
Hosea 6:9

1. “As bands of robbers lie in wait for a man”

a) Gilead was an example of what the cities of Israel was like.

b) Bloodshed was a common occurrence.

c) “Bands of robbers”

i) They were found every where.

ii) They lay in wait for unsuspecting victims.

iii) They thought nothing of robbing people.

iv) Robbing was like a livelihood to many.

2. The priests of Samaria

a) They were counterfeit priests.

b) They were not from the sons of Levi (1 Kings 12:31).

c) Jeroboam I appointed anyone who would like to be called a priest (1 Kings 12:31).

3. Shechem

a) It was at Shechem that Abram set up his first altar to God (Genesis 12:6-8).

b) It was the place where Joshua urged Israel to serve God faithfully (Joshua 24:1, 14).

c) Shechem was the first capital of the Kingdom of Israel, the city in which King Jeroboam I dwelt (1 Kings 12:25).

d) It was famous at one time in the history of Israel.

4. “So the company of priests murder on the way to Shechem”

a) The priests were no better than robbers.

b) They moved from place to place to set up shrines.

c) They murdered along the way, as if robbery was not bad enough!

5. “Surely they commit lewdness”

a) They also committed grave sexual assault on womenfolk along the way.

b) They may not have spared young children in their sexual assaults on womenfolk.