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THROW OUT YOUR CALF-IDOL

Hosea 8:1-14

Samaria, throw out your calf-idol!

First, warnings (1-4). The trumpet and the eagle over the house of Israel are symbols of God’s coming judgment. God was angry with his people for living in their own way setting up whomever they liked as leaders to suit their fancy and for worshiping idols. Judgment was coming upon Israel, for they had rejected God and broken faith with God's covenant by worshiping idols.

Even if we acknowledge God with our lips, it is our life that really shows whether we acknowledge him. Israel kept up many religious festivals and they said that they acknowledged God but their life did not show it. We have a word for this: hypocrisy. Originally, a hypocrite was an actor in the Greek theater. Actors may act well and bring out many emotions but they are only pretending. This is what a hypocrite does in his life.

Second, “Throw out the calf-idol!” (4-14). God commands them to throw away their idols, especially the calf–idol they had made in Samaria. This idol hearkens back to the time in the desert when Aaron made a golden calf for the people. God’s word tells us today to throw away our idols. What are idols today? Even if men do not bow down to gods of wood and stone, we make idols in our hearts. Our family and children, our career, position and money can all be potential idols. Sometimes, materialism and living a comfortable life is an idol for me. But God’s word says to throw out the idols in my heart.

Those who worship idols will reap the whirlwind (7). Their lives are ruined. Israel eventually became like a wandering donkey lost in the desert among the nations (8, 9).  Israel could not but waste away without God. Even though they built palaces and fortresses, it would be useless because they had forgotten their Maker (14). This is the fruit of living a self-seeking life and rejecting God.

Lord, thank you for your word that purifies my heart. Help me to throw away my idols. Lead me to live as a man of God in my generation. Bless our family to be a house church and a source of blessing for your flock as well as a refuge from the world. May your name be hallowed in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word: Throw away my idols!