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"Like an oven heated by a baker"

Text: Hosea 7:4

THE INFLUENCE OF IDOLATRY

The word “adultery” in the prophetic books was used to describe the problem of idolatry. Israel was supposed to be married to the LORD but had dallied with many idols. The nation began to be corrupted and was on its way to doom and destruction.

“They are all adulterers.
Like an oven heated by a baker-
He ceases stirring the fire after kneading the dough,
Until it is leavened.”
Hosea 7:4

1. “They are all adulterers”

a) This cannot be applied literally.

b) But it is an apt description of the spiritual state of Israel.

i) All the kings were idol worshippers.

ii) They promoted idolatrous worship vigorously.

iii) The whole nation had turned its back on the Lord.

2. The imagery of a baker

a) The baker has two main concerns when he is baking.

b) He has to give his attention to two tasks:

i) He has to heat the oven.

ii) He has to prepare the dough.

3. A closer look at three things associated with this imagery

a) The baker imagery

i) He must prepare the dough by mixing yeast with flour.

ii) The kneading process would demand much time, energy and effort.

b) The oven imagery

i) Israel was like an oven that was all heated up.

ii) The nation practised idolatry as if it was on fire.

c) The dough imagery

i) The yeast and the flour must be well-kneaded.

ii) Idolatry and Israel were like yeast and flour kneaded till it was dough waiting to be put into the heated oven.

iii) After the kneading was done, he would have to wait till the dough was completely leavened.

This imagery was applied to Israel. The kingdom had become so idolatrous it was like any other Canaanite nation.