THE FORMULA FOR DISASTER

In the Old Testament times, God called prophets to demonstrate signs that directed the listeners to the truth. The call to Hosea was quite extreme- he was called to marry an adulterous woman and bear children, and in doing so, depict to the nation of Israel the extent of their own adultery in going away from God. As he prophesies in Hosea 4, he lays out the formula for disaster, which was evident in the life of his listeners.

1. Rebellion– The first step is rebellion against God. The nature of human existence, which originates from God, calls for submission to God and living in obedience to God. However, man has an intrinsic nature to rebel against God and move away from submission to God. Man proudly declares his independence, feels the elation of being his own master, only to quickly find himself hurtling along the pathway to disaster. 

“——There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.”(Hosea 4:1,2)

• Sinfulness– Rebellion against God naturally leads to sinful living that Hosea lists above. The picture that was painted of Israel by Hosea can very well be a description of most modern societies. When God is removed from the picture, all decency is discarded. While most are quick to condemn the Nazi atrocities in pre- World War 2 Germany, atheism is lauded by many, who conveniently ignore the fact that the atheism fueled philosophies of Nietzsche and Marx are what gave birth to Nazism and fascism. Rejecting God has consequences that are dreadful for society.

• Desolation-Hosea continues, “Because of this the land mourns and all who live in it waste away—-”(Hosea 4:3). The Bible is very clear that there exists a dynamic between man’s moral compass and the productivity of the land. When sin came into existence following Adam’s fall, the land was cursed. The pattern continues today- if a land needs to be blessed, it needs to have people living in it who submit to God. Productivity in our homes, our lands, our societies and nations increases when people submit to God, because in doing so, they are living out what ought to be and recapturing the original design of this universe.

• Judgment-When a law is broken, there will be punishment. The original law, and the mother of all laws is that when man rejects God his maker, he invites judgment.“–my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I will also ignore your children.”(Hosea 4:6) When judgment arrives, disaster is complete. Man loses everything and is left wondering what might have been if only he had clung on to God and submitted to him.

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