Chapter 13 of Hosea brings much of the same for the people of Israel. How bad has it gotten? They are in the business of sacrificing babies to their false gods. And let’s just be honest… we would be furious as well. God’s response is hard to read and process but it is just.
But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.
Hosea 13:4 ESV
Consider, the gods that were being worshiped by Israel were nothing close to the One True God. They didn’t pursue them like God, or speak like God, or perform powerful miracles like God. He reminds them of this fact.
It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought; 6 but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me.
Hosea 13:5-6 ESV
We forget about God and turn to the worship of false gods because we love sin. False gods are really the scapegoat for our true motives. When you compare the track record of God with the track record of these false gods, it’s not even close. The people of Israel knew this. However, they knew if they chose to follow God, they would be required to obey. If they chose to follow false gods, they could do whatever they wanted. So, they suppressed the truth and believed a lie. Now, they will face the consequences of such actions.
It’s not a comfortable lesson, but it’s right. Where are we suppressing truth and believing lies? In what ways are we giving in to small compromises and choosing to follow our own belief system?