Ephraim-Joseph’s people, the biggest, most powerful tribe in Israel. Mizpah and Tabor are places that they’ve specifically been drawn into sin. The prostitution of Ephraim, both physically and spiritually, reminds us of Hosea’s marriage. New Moon is part of the festivals of their “new” gods. Beth-Aven means “house of idolatry”, in contrast to Beth-El “the house of God”.
God continues to paint a picture of punishment for His chosen people. He alerts every part of their communities-priests, government, and households. They’ve all turned to sin. They started out stumbling into it. Then they moved the boundaries of God, blurring the edges of the guidelines of the covenant to accommodate their growing rebellion. Then eventually, with Ephraim leading the pack, intentionally going after “filth”. So God brought punishment, similar to the destruction of a moth or dry rot-the decay is unnoticeable at first, but little by little it works its way through until every fiber is undermined. When they realized their sickness, they went to their government for a cure, walking right past the God who heals both physical and spiritual wounds. But God, even in punishment, has left the door of hope open for those with a distressed, repentant heart.
This chapter changes me by leading me through the stages of walking away from God and the rightful punishment. No one is exempt from God’s leadership, from government to churches to our individual homes. I know this is the story of, and promise to, Israel, but it sounds a lot like America. As soon as we feel “sick” we look to our “kings” to cure us. They can’t, only God can. But God.... for those who humble themselves, pray, and turn from their wicked ways, He leaves the door of hope open at the end of our valley of trouble.
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