Beware of foreign alliance! Bishop Bernard F. Popp

The prophet Hosea wants the people against foreign alliances instead of the alliances with God, made by the covenant. This is chapter 7 of Hosea. “Ephraim mingles with the nations. Ephraim is a hearth cake unturned.” Burnt on one side and half baked on the other, and therefore useless.

Israel’s decline in power is ascribed to its disasterous meddling in the power politics of the neighboring nations.
That’s the way the prophet Hosea sees the decline of the love of Yahweh among the Israelites. He tells them to trust in God. Be faithful to God and the covenant, Hosea tells his people, but they would not listen. Hosea attacks foreign alliances because they manifest a lack of faith and confidence in God, who has promised to watch over his people. Jeremiah will be even more direct: “Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seek his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from Yahweh.” (Jer 17:8; also Jer 1:13-19; Is 7:4-13; 8:5-13; 30:1-16; and 31:1)

Hosea wants, not only the kings, but all people to call on the true God in their struggle in life. He laments: “All their kings have fallen; none of them calls upon me.” (verse 7) Hosea tells us today, “try God.” In our wild world; stop and ask God to take over. Find your quiet spot in your home, and ask the Lord to help you. He loves you!

Retired Auxiliary Bishop Bernard F. Popp has an interest in Old Testament scholarship.