Hosea 3-5

“There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land” (4:1).  Israel and Judah’s idolatry – worshiping false gods – led them to terrible, destructive behavior.   “There is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed” (4:2).  Belief and behavior are linked; when Israel turned their backs on the God of Abraham, they also turned their backs on His way of “faithfulness and steadfast love.”

Despite Israel’s sins, God promised to forgive them when “they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress, earnestly seek me” (5:15).