1. As we continue in our series through the book of Hosea, we see that God is still dealing with the sins of Israel, and to a lesser extent, the sins of Judah as well.
2. It is clear that judgment would certainly come upon them (5:9,10).
3. Hosea 5:6 reveals that God had withdrawn His face from them (cf. 5:15).
4. In the Bible, the face of God represents His divine presence and approval, including His guidance, His help, and His comfort.
5. Therefore, it is a terrible thing to have God withdraw His face from either an individual or a nation (cf. Ps.34:16).
6. How sad, how pitiful it is when God pleads with backsliders, and tries to reason with them, and they refuse to listen. Finally, God says: "Enough" and He withdraws His face from them (2:2; 4:1).
7. Chapter 5 picks up where chapter 4 left off:

• "For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer…" (4:16a)
• "Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone" (4:17).
• "The wind hath bound her up in her wings…" (4:19). This refers to the impending Assyrian captivity (cf. 13:15,16).

I. GOD WITHDREW HIS FACE BECAUSE OF THE SPIRIT OF WHOREDOMS (5:1-4).

1. I spent some time last week explaining the term "spirit of whoredoms" (cf. 4:10-12). The "spirit of whoredoms" refers to demonism, which is the dynamic behind all idolatry (cf. I Cor.10:20).
2. However, the spirit of whoredoms is not limited to idolatry. It certainly includes immorality and drinking (cf. 4:10,11).
3. For example, alcohol is often referred to as "spirits." Unclean spirits are also behind drugs and rock music. Many of the problems in churches are caused by spirits from hell. We need to be careful.
4. God spoke to the priests and to the king (5:1), because they represented the leadership of the nation. The priests should have been setting a good example but they were not. They were no better than the rest of the backslidden nation.
5. Also, the kings were no good. There were no good kings in Israel since the kingdom was divided. From King Jeroboam on down the line, none of them knew the Lord.
6. Our situation in America today is not much better. Most of the religious and political leaders in our country are very liberal and ungodly. Another big problem is the liberal news media and the liberal schools. They are all contributing to the climate of ungodliness.
7. Another thing to consider is that the northern kingdom had an alien priesthood. God had ordained that the priests were to be descended from Aaron and from the tribe of Levi.
8. Israel had become "a snare on Mizpah" (5:1). Instead of being a light and a good example, encouraging people to serve the Lord, they had been as a snare and a net, trapping unwary feet into their wicked ways. In other words, they had become a stumbling block.
9. Mizpah was in the southwest section of Israel, and Tabor (Mt. Tabor) was in the northeast (5:1). In other words, the backslidden people were worshipping idols all throughout the land. The spirit of whoredoms was everywhere.
10. God had "been a rebuker of them all" (5:2). The word rebuke here carries with it the idea of chastisement; discipline with the goal of restoration (cf. 5:9). God’s purpose in judgment is not to be vindictive but to bring His people back to Himself.
11. You will notice that the ten northern tribes are frequently referred to as "Ephraim" (5:3). Ephraim was the dominant tribe and the most idolatrous.
12. Hosea pointed out the root of Israel’s trouble: "They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God" (5:4). In other words, they would not put in order their actions so that they would conform to what God requires. Instead, they resisted God and rebelled against Him (cf. Isa.63:10).
13. A pastor was asked by a visiting preacher if he told his congregation what God expected of them, and if he preached hard against sin. He replied that he did not because he was afraid that if he did they would all leave.
14. Notice the contrast: God knows Ephraim (5:3a), but "they have not known the LORD" (5:4b).

II. GOD WITHDREW HIS FACE BECAUSE OF THEIR PRIDE (5:5,6).

1. I think the biggest problem we have had in our church has been pride. Young, inexperienced preachers became very proud. Members forgot their place and thought they had the right to straighten out the pastor. One lady told my wife that she thought she had the right to constantly criticize me because she was saved "a long time."
2. I have seen so many people come to church sweet and humble, and gradually become proud and arrogant (cf. Pro.8:13).
3. Despite their wretched condition, the children of Israel were puffed up with pride and haughtiness. Therefore, God would bring them down low (5:5).
4. "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Pro.16:18). Israel would soon fall in their iniquity (Hosea 5:5).
5. "Judah also shall fall with them" (5:5b). The Babylonian captivity would come about 100 years after the fall of Israel.
6. "They shall go with their flocks…" (5:6) in an attempt to propitiate God but would not find Him.
7. Finally, after all else fails, they would seek the LORD. God is their last resource, "but they shall not find Him; He hath withdrawn Himself from them" (5:6).
8. I heard a true story about a ship that hit an iceberg. The captain sent out the message that everyone was to begin praying. One lady ran up to the captain and asked: "Captain, has it come to this? Are things so bad that we should pray?"
9. That is the way most people are. Pastor Bell used to say that most people treat God like the spare tire in the trunk of their car. He is available for an emergency but that’s about it.

III. GOD WITHDREW HIS FACE BECAUSE OF THEIR TREACHERY (5:7-15).

1. Treachery is a violation of allegiance, a breach of faith. Many times in the Bible, God uses the term "dealt treacherously" to describe Israel’s unfaithfulness (5:7; cf. 6:7).
2. They had begotten "strange children" (5:7), i.e., children with no knowledge of God. This is a big problem today as well. How sad to see Christian people turn out heathen children! Children that do not even go to church; children that marry unsaved husbands and wives; children that never read the Bible – God calls them "strange children."
3. The historical background to 5:8-14 is found in II Kings 16. Israel (Ephraim) and Syria had invaded Judah. With the help of Assyria, Judah had counter-attacked and had captured some territory ("The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound…" – 5:10).
4. Three cities in Benjamin were warned to prepare for God’s rod of correction (5:8). "After thee, O Benjamin" (5:8b) – sin had caused them to turn their backs and run away from their enemies (cf. Ex.23:27).
5. Hosea 5:8,9,10,11,and 12 all describe God’s judgment upon Israel and Judah – judgment that could not be avoided.
6. God says that He "will be unto Ephraim as a moth" (5:12). I heard an interesting story about a man who had a problem with moths and bought some mothballs at a drug store. But he brought them back, saying that they did not work. The store manager asked him to explain, and the man said: "I stayed up half the night throwing these balls at the moths, but I never did hit one of them!"
7. The moth is a little insect but can cause a lot of damage. And the lion is a dangerous animal that can tear a man to pieces (5:14).
8. But the most serious judgment of all is when God withdraws Himself.
9. God would be to the house of Judah "as rottenness" (5:12). I heard Pastor Bell preach a message one time on "Rotten Boards Over Hell."
10. Ephraim (Israel) would go to the Assyrians for help (5:13) but their expected helper would soon invade their country and take them away into captivity.
11. In the hour of their stringency, instead of looking to God, Israel looked to a heathen nation for help. The king of Assyria had no concern for them and would soon be the final scourge in the hand of God to carry away Israel into captivity.
12. God would be like a lion to Israel, but "as a young lion" to Judah (5:14). A young lion was not as fierce, Judah’s punishment would not be as severe.
13. Ephraim (Israel) faced a horrible judgment (5:14; cf. 13:7,8; Ps.50:22). But the chapter ends with a note of hope (5:15b).

CONCLUSION:

1. God’s face would be withdrawn until "they acknowledge their offence" (5:15). True repentance must include acknowledgment of sin.
2. Confession of sin must precede seeking God’s face.