Berean Bible Church

The Prophets

Lesson IV

Idolatry in Israel

January 24, 2010

I Introduction

The days of Hosea were days of apostasy in the Northern Kingdom of Israel

Idolatry and apostasy go hand in hand. Apostasy-a departure from known truth.

Hosea 1:2 “…for the land hath committed great whoredom in departing from…”

Hosea 2:2 “let her therefore put away her whoredoms…”

Hosea 4:12 “they have gone a whoring from under God”

Hosea 4:15 “though thou, Israel, play the harlot”

What whoredom and adultery are in our eyes, idolatry is in God’s sight

Both adultery and idolatry are the result of unfaithfulness

II Idolatry was introduced in Israel by Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

1 Kings12:20,26-33 tell the story

Exodus 32:1-6, 15-20, 21-24 Did Aaron give Jeroboam the idea of a calf?

1 Kings 14:16 Jeroboam, who did sin, and made Israel to sin

1 Kings 15:25,26 His son follows in his father’s sin,

Repeatedly, Jeroboam is known as the one who sinned and caused Israel to sin

III Hosea 2:2-13 The life and actions of Gomer are interwoven with the life and

actions of Israel. Gomer’s adultery is likened to Israel’s idolatry.

Verse 3 “lest I strip her naked” To live in unfaithfulness is to be stripped . “the way of transgression is hard” Proverbs 13:15. Sins’ pleasures are for a season Heb.11:25

IV There are some lessons for us in the New Testament

1 John 5:21 “little children keep yourselves from idols”

Colossians 3:5 covetousness is idolatry

1 Timothy 6:10 the love of money is the root of all evil

Hebrews 13:5 live without covetousness and be content

1 Timothy 6:1-8 if you serve, serve well, wholesome words and godliness go together

To be destitute of the truth, is to suppose that gain is godliness

Godliness with contentment is great gain

Ephesians 5:1-4 walk in love

Not in the negatives of verses 3-4

BUT—rather giving of thanks

V So conclude:

1. Be thankful for everything Ephesians 5:20

2. Then, you will be content

3. Then , you will not covet

4. Then, and only then, will you be able to keep yourself from idols and idolatry

5. And such a life will be well pleasing to God