Hosea 8:4: How could Israel set up kings without God’s approval if He is sovereign over all nations?

Historical and Literary Context

Hosea’s ministry spanned the final decades of the northern kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim in the text). During this time, turmoil, frequent changes in leadership, and widespread idolatry characterized Israel’s governance. Hosea 8:4 states: “They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. From their silver and gold they craft idols for themselves—to their own destruction.” This verse succinctly captures the rebellious heart of the nation: although God retained sovereignty, the people installed rulers on their own initiative who led them away from genuine worship.

Hosea’s prophetic message served as a warning and a plea—pronouncing judgment while inviting repentance. By invoking “They set up kings, but not by Me,” Hosea highlighted that Israel’s leadership choices were out of alignment with God’s truth and covenant.

God’s Sovereignty Demonstrated Throughout Scripture

Scripture repeatedly affirms that all things, including human rulers, fall under divine authority. Daniel 2:21 proclaims: “He changes the times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to men of understanding.” This sweeping statement clarifies that no kingdom rises or falls without God’s ultimate power and permissive will.

Even Jesus, when addressing Pontius Pilate, underscored this principle in John 19:11: “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above.” Every ruler holds power by God’s allowance, whether that ruler honors or dishonors the One granting it.

Thus, the tension in Hosea 8:4 is not that God lacks power to control who becomes king, but that the chosen leaders in Israel did not carry God’s blessing or guidance in their appointments. God could remove them instantly if He so chose, but in His wisdom and justice, He allowed Israel to experience the natural consequences of disobedience.

What “Setting Up Kings Without God’s Approval” Implies

The phrase “not by Me” (Hosea 8:4) indicates that Israel’s political maneuvers did not have divine endorsement. This reflected a pattern where, instead of seeking the Lord’s guidance (cf. 1 Samuel 8:7), the people relied on human strategy or ambition.

Several examples from Israel’s history illustrate this pattern:

• Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12) split the kingdom, forming his own monarchy in the north, inaugurating practices that further distanced Israel from proper worship in Jerusalem.

• Various rulers arose by political conspiracy or force (e.g., Zimri, Omri, and others in 1 Kings 16; Shallum in 2 Kings 15:13–15), often ignoring God’s standards.

In these instances, God’s displeasure did not neutralize His sovereignty. Rather, it demonstrated that while He remained in control, He did not endorse the misdirected zeal of rebels and usurpers who refused His guidance.

Permissive Will vs. Prescriptive Will

A key theological principle is differentiating God’s permissive will from His prescriptive will:

1. Prescriptive Will: What God commands and approves (e.g., “You shall have no other gods before Me,” Exodus 20:3).

2. Permissive Will: What God allows to occur due to human free agency—even when it opposes His prescriptive desires.

When Hosea criticizes Israel for setting up kings “without My approval” (Hosea 8:4), the prophet references the disjunction between God’s prescriptive desire—faithful governance under His rule—and His permissive allowance, by which He lets them experience the result of their rebellion.

This does not undercut God’s sovereignty. Instead, it showcases His patience: He permits human actions, yet holds individuals and nations accountable for their choices.

Consequences of Self-Appointed Leadership

Throughout the prophetic writings, negative outcomes follow self-appointed leadership. Hosea 8:4 connects the idolatry (their “silver and gold” becoming idols) with the improper establishment of leaders. This parallel shows that once a nation departs from submission to God’s authority, other sins—especially idolatry—take root.

First Samuel 8:7 narrates a similar warning, when Israel demanded a king “like all the other nations.” God explained to Samuel: “It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.” Although God granted their request, He did so with a warning that unfaithful leadership would bring oppression and hardship (1 Samuel 8:10–18).

In the northern kingdom’s case, constant power struggles and rampant idol worship led to a series of national disasters, culminating in the Assyrian conquest in 722 BC. Through Hosea, God underlined that acting outside His approval invites judgment and spiritual decline.

God’s Ultimate Sovereignty and Redemption

Despite the harshness of judgment, the prophetic message does not end with despair. Even as Hosea declares condemnation upon unapproved kings and rampant idolatry, the broader biblical narrative points to redemption. God’s sovereignty ensures that He can—and will—raise up leaders according to His plan, culminating in the ultimate reign of the Messiah.

Jesus is presented in the New Testament as the King of kings (Revelation 19:16), fulfilling God’s promise of a righteous King who would permanently rule. The biblical portrait is not of a distant Creator disinterested in human affairs, but of a God who directs history and remains faithful to His covenant promises—even when people choose their own destructive path.

Practical Implications for Understanding Sovereignty

1. Human Responsibility: Israel’s choice demonstrates that people can act in ways contrary to God’s revealed will, bringing consequences.

2. Divine Control: Even those who assume power illegitimately cannot thwart God’s overarching plan. They operate within bounds He permits.

3. Call to Obedience: Believers are called to seek God’s guidance, especially in leadership and communal decisions, to avoid the pitfalls Israel encountered.

Conclusion

When Hosea states, “They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval” (Hosea 8:4), the tension between human defiance and divine sovereignty comes into view. God’s ultimate control over nations remains intact, yet He allows humanity to exercise free choice, even to its own detriment. Israel’s self-appointed rulers were part of a broader pattern of disobedience, illustrating that while God is sovereign, He may permit decisions that violate His righteous commands—showcasing both His patience and His justice.

In the end, God’s sovereignty prevails. Whether in ancient Israel or modern contexts, any empowered leader or nation still falls under His eternal rule. The lesson from Hosea 8:4 is that, though God’s will can be resisted on a temporary basis, the final outcome rests in His hands, and the wisest course for all people remains faithfulness and reverence toward Him.