Topical Studies
What the Bible says about Israel as Rebellious Child
(From Forerunner Commentary)
The book of Hosea's dominant theme is Israel's faithlessness. Hosea is especially creative in his use of metaphors to describe the relationship between Israel and God, but the two dominant ones are suggested in this verse. The primary one is Israel as a faithless wife, and the secondary one is Israel as a rebellious child (rebelling against God's law). Harlotry indicates sexual wantonness. If the person committing harlotry were married, it would suggest extreme faithlessness to his or her vows of marriage. In a spiritual covenant relationship with God, however, it indicates idolatry.
In tandem with the metaphors regarding Israel, the prophet uses two main family-relationship themes. In the first, God is shown as a faithful Husband, and in the second, as a loving and longsuffering Parent. In each case, Israel is faithless in carrying out responsibilities within the relationship, which God calls adultery and harlotry. God's judgment was occasioned by Israel departing from duties agreed to in a contract, the Covenant.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Seventh CommandmentRelated Topics: Adultery | God as Faithful Husband | God as Long-Suffering Parent | Idolatry | Israel as a Faithless Wife | Israel's Adultery | Israel's Faithlessness | Israel's Harlotry | Israel's Idolatry | Israel's Rebelliousness | Israel's Relationship with God | Israel's Unfaithfulness | Seventh Commandment | Spiritual Adultery | The Seventh Commandment
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