How does Hosea 12:11 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? Setting the Stage “Hosea 12:11 — ‘Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; indeed, their altars will be like stone heaps on the furrows of a field.’ Exodus 20:3 — ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.’” What the First Commandment Demands • Absolute, exclusive allegiance to the LORD • No rivals, substitutes, or shared devotion • Worship that is God-prescribed, not self-invented (Deuteronomy 12:4–7) What Hosea Reveals about Israel • Gilead and Gilgal—centers of unauthorized worship set up after the kingdom split (1 Kings 12:26-33) • “They sacrifice bulls” — costly offerings, yet God calls them “worthless” because the heart is wrong • “Altars … stone heaps” — prophetic picture of judgment; their religious monuments will become rubble Connecting Hosea 12:11 to Exodus 20:3 • Israel’s altars in Gilead/Gilgal violate “no other gods” by blending Yahweh’s name with man-made religion • The first commandment forbids divided loyalty; Hosea exposes that division in real time • God’s verdict (“worthless”) echoes the commandment’s warning that idolatry provokes His jealousy (Exodus 20:5) Supporting Scriptures • Deuteronomy 32:21 — Israel “made Me jealous with what is no god” • Jeremiah 2:13 — “They have forsaken Me… and dug their own cisterns” • 1 Corinthians 10:14 — “Flee from idolatry” Timeless Lessons for Us • Sincerity or expense of worship cannot override obedience (1 Samuel 15:22) • Idolatry today may appear as success, pleasure, or self—anything that competes with God’s supremacy • God eventually turns false altars to rubble; therefore, repentance now spares future loss (Hosea 14:1-2) Key Takeaways • Hosea 12:11 is a living illustration of how breaking Exodus 20:3 looks in practice. • The first commandment protects us from investing in “worthless” worship. • Exclusive devotion to the LORD is still the non-negotiable foundation of a faithful life. |
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