Since we started the topic of Worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth, we have noted the definition of Worship – “to draw near.” See Psalm 63:8 (our soul should follow close behind Him). We also have made clear that love is a primary drive for worship, rather than a fearful terror or a natural desire to get help. We need to love God and draw near to Him because of who He is, not just what He does for us.

Our story, in I Kings 12:25-33, tells of the ploy of King Jeroboam to control the loyalties of the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel from wandering to Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (where the Lord’s temple was). He created another religion, using two golden calves and two convenient locations in the North, to keep the people from mingling with the people of Judah and possibly returning to a united kingdom of Israel again. Hosea 5:11- 6:7 tells us what God thought of this and what He would do to restore both the Northern and Southern Kingdom to worshipping the one and only true God. Hosea 5:11 explains Ephraim’s problem of walking by the commandments of men.

Man-made Religion – I Kings 12:25-33; Hosea 5:11

Jeroboam felt that he had to:

• Create a new politically correct religion.
• Rewrite history.
• Make his religion more convenient than the true religion.
• Manipulate people’s loyalties, uniting them religiously and politically

Managing Rebellion – Hosea 5:12-15

God would have to remove blessings, bring afflictions; let Israel seek other help and exhaust their resources (Hosea 5:12-13).

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah would inflict wounds and then wait for Israel to ask for help (Hosea 5:14-15). Do you suppose people thought Satan was acting as a lion? See I Peter 5:8-9.

Moving the Right Direction – Hosea 6:1-3

Receiving the chastening of the Lord (Hosea 6:1-2). See Hebrews 12:5-13.

Restoration: The pursuit of the Knowledge of God. See Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 2:1-5; Psalm 63:8; Isaiah 26:3,9. See also Psalm 25:1 cp. 24:3-4.

Mind-set of God Revealed – Hosea 6:4-7

• His Procedure (Hosea 6:4-5).
• His Priorities (Hosea 6:6). See also Psalm 51:15-19; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Micah 6:6-8.
• His Procedure (Hosea 6:4-5 cp. 11:3-4). God can be gentle or stern, depending on our attitude. See Psalm 18:25-27; Proverbs 3:34 cp. James 4:1-10; I Corinthians 4:14-21.
  Note the words God says about “men” (Psalm 118:8; Proverbs 16:25; Isaiah 2:22; Jeremiah 10:2; 17:5-7; Matthew 10:16-18; I Corinthians 3:3).