When you read through prophetic oracles like this you may well become wearied by the seemingly endless divine laments over, and descriptions of, the rebellion of Israel. If this is the case then you are probably reading this with too much detachment. As you read these words allow yourself to connect with the emotions of God. Try to feel what God feels. Also put yourself in the place of the Israelites. Find those aspects of your life that could be described in the same way as the sins of Israel are described. This is something we tend to avoid. We tend to create a caricature of Israel that is vastly dissimilar to ourselves in order to protect our self-image. It is a way of avoiding the pain of self-realisation and inevitably detaches us from oracles like this (and every other part of the Bible too). There is never any advantage in justifying yourself. Even if you were without fault, it would not help you. Even Jesus, who was perfect in every way, never felt the need to justify himself. John tells us that we are self-deceived if we claim to be without sin (1 John 1:8). It is safest to assume, therefore, that there is something amiss within us. Oracles like this will help to dial up the voice of your conscience and bring to light the things in you that God wants to deal with. Embrace this realisation as a positive experience. It will be your liberation.
Reflect on what this might be highlighting in your life.
Read Hosea 4 and 5
