What emotions are expressed by the people in Hosea 10:5 regarding the calf idol? The text itself “Hosea 10:5: ‘The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn for it, and so will its idolatrous priests—those who rejoiced in its glory—because it will be taken from them into exile.’” Emotions on display • Fear – “will fear for the calf” shows anxious dread as they sense the idol cannot save them (cf. Isaiah 46:1–2). • Mourning / grief – “will mourn for it” pictures deep sorrow, like a funeral lament (see Joel 1:8 for similar language). • Wailing / lamentation from clergy – Even the “idolatrous priests” wail, revealing the hollow foundation of their religion (compare 1 Kings 18:28–29, where Baal’s prophets cry out). • Lost joy turned to shame – They once “rejoiced in its glory,” but that celebration flips to humiliation when the calf is carried off (Jeremiah 48:13; Hosea 9:10). • Despair over exile – Knowing the calf will be “taken… into exile” breeds hopelessness; their hoped-for security is gone (Psalm 115:8 reminds that those who trust idols become like them—powerless). Why these feelings matter • The idolaters’ emotions prove how deeply they had tied their identity to a created thing rather than to the living God (Exodus 20:3–5). • God exposes the vanity of false worship by letting the object of their trust be hauled away, turning joy to sorrow (Hosea 2:9–13). • Their grief spotlights the contrast between the impotent calf and the covenant-keeping LORD, who alone remains unshaken (Psalm 20:7). Echoes in other Scriptures • Exodus 32:19–35 – Israel’s golden calf brings judgment and sorrow. • 2 Kings 17:6–18 – Samaria’s exile fulfills Hosea’s warning. • Revelation 18:9–11 – The merchants lament when Babylon’s idols and wealth collapse; same pattern of misplaced trust leading to grief. Takeaway for today • Trust placed in anything but God eventually produces fear, grief, and shame. • When the false “calves” of our own culture topple, the only secure refuge is the LORD, “the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:4). |
    |