June 10, 2007
Background Scripture: Hosea 4:1-4; 7:1-2; 12:7-9; 14:1-3; 2 Kings 15:8-10
Devotional Reading: Hosea 14

This morning I watched one of the segments of a PBS series on “Secrets of the Inquisition.”

Quite possibly the most shameful episode in Christian history, it subjected thousands of Jews, Muslims and even Christians to torture and execution – all in the name of Jesus Christ. To compound the shame, a chief inquisitor was later elevated to sainthood.

Of course, as a Christian I would assert that the Inquisition does not reflect on the person or teachings of Jesus Christ, but upon the blasphemous corruption of the Christian Church at this point in history. In addition to the Inquisition, a great deal of evil has been committed in the name of Jesus, almost always by people who were convinced that they – and often they alone – perfectly understood who God is and what God wants of us.

This was the situation Hosea addressed: “Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel; for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or kindness and no knowledge of God in the land” (4:1).

There must have been many who wondered at his words, “no knowledge of God,” for these were God’s chosen people. If anyone knew God, they did – as demonstrated by their rituals, offerings and sanctity.

In the name of God

Yet, as we observed in the book of Amos, this is not what God wanted from His people. In fact, people were engrossed by what God did not want: “swearing, lying, killing, stealing and committing adultery; they break all bounds and murder follows murder” (4:2). (It sounds as if Hosea has been reading headlines in our newspapers.)

Actually, what often passes for true religion is nothing but a perversion of it by means of secular values and expectations. The Inquisition was not really about God, but prejudice, self-righteousness, greed, secular power and an appetite for cruelty and violence. It was performed in the name of God, but in a perversion of His nature and will.

They do not really know this God in whose name they torture and kill, for “they do not consider that I remember all their evil works” (7:2). It does not even occur to them that they will someday have to give an accounting of their conduct to the Lord. They knowingly choose short-range enjoyment instead of long-range security with God.

The gospel of success

A recent Gallup Poll indicates that 48 percent of those who term themselves “extremely religious” said it was “sufficient to live a decent personal life without needing to change society or bring others to their beliefs.”

Apparently they are not familiar with Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah or even Jesus, all concerned with sin, both personal and corporate.

Some of this apostasy is due to the attitude that Hosea condemns: “Ephraim has said, ‘Ah, but I am rich, I have gained wealth for myself’’” (12:8). The corollary of this is: If I was wrong, I wouldn’t be this successful.

The gospel of success is as prevalent today as it was in Hosea’s time. Our society is governed by a blind trust in a market economy which enriches those who are “right” and penalizes those who are “wrong.” If it turns a profit, it must be all right. And if some suffer because of it, that is simply regrettable but acceptable collateral damage.

In Hosea’s time, business, justice and national policy were understood to be exempt from God’s commandments – just as they are today. But, Hosea warns, “all his riches can never offset the guilt he has incurred” (12:8).

Despite the lip service Israel/Ephraim paid to God, they actually trusted for safety in foreign alliances and the worship of fertility Baals. But Hosea warns: “Assyria will not save us … and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands” (14:3).

Our coins say, “In God we trust” – but who are we kidding?