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"Israel is defiled"

Text: Hosea 6:10

THE DEFILING OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL

Hosea described how Israel became defiled. Cities were full of bloodshed. Transgression of the law was commonplace!

“I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel:
There is the harlotry of Ephraim;
Israel is defiled.”
Hosea 6:10

1. A combination of sins defiled the land

a) Transgression of the covenant was committed everyday (Hosea 6:7a).

b) Treachery was in the heart (Hosea 6:7b).

c) Evildoers were found in cities (Hosea 6:8a).

d) Bloodshed was common (Hosea 6:8b).

e) Murder and sexual assaults by false priests (Hosea 6:9).

2. “I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel”

a) The above were all horrible things that were evidently seen in the land.

b) But there was an especially horrible thing that Hosea found most disturbing.

3. “There is the harlotry of Ephraim”

a) Ephraim was a leading tribe in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

b) It also led the way with reference to harlotry.

c) This was a direct reference to the steep idolatrous practices of Ephraim.

i) The spirit of harlotry was mentioned. Hosea 4:12; 5:4(Psalm 106:39)

ii) Idolatry was widespread. Hosea 4:13

iii) Israel was compared to a stubborn calf. Hosea 4:16

iv) Ephraim was joined to idols. Hosea 4:17

v) Their drink was rebellion. Hosea 4:18

vi) Ephraim stumbled in its iniquity. Hosea 5:5

vii) Ephraim and Israel were identified as one. Hosea 5:5

viii) Harlotry was arguably the most heinous sin. Hosea 6:10

4. “Israel is defiled”

a) As evidenced.

b) As a sad and sobering reality.