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THE DISSOLUTION OF ISRAEL’S INFRASTRUCTURE

Israel’s redemption from her sorry state had to be done very carefully. The sinful condition of Israel was deep and difficult, and God had to remove all the things that the nation depended upon.

“And I said to her,
‘You shall stay with me many days;
you shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man-
so, too, will I be toward you.’
For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince,
without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim.”
Hosea 3:3-4

1. Understanding Hosea 3:3-4

a) The two verses are best read together.

b) The personal action of Hosea mirrors what God would do with Israel after He has bought her.

2. The personal relationship between Hosea and Gomer Hosea 3:3

a) “You shall stay with me many days”

Gomer will be secluded with Hosea.

b) “You shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man”

She would not play the harlot with any one, at any time, for any reason.

c) “So, too, will I be toward you”

Hosea would also refrain from any relationship with Gomer.

3. The LORD’S relationship with Israel

a) “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without…”

i) God had to remove Israel from all her usual contacts.

ii) All her relationships with other nations.

iii) This was a necessary first step.

b) “Without king or prince”

i) Without leadership.

ii) This speaks of the dissolution of the kingdom structure.

iii) No more monarchs for Israel.

iv) All her kings and princes had caused the nation to go from bad to worse.

c) “Without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim”

i) The religious formalities would also be done away with.

ii) These would include any form of sacrifice or so-called “sacred pillar”.

iii) The ephod was a religious garment worn by priests. Teraphim were household idols.