◄ Hosea 10:3 ►
Surely now they will say, "We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us?"
Study Bible
So now they will say
This phrase introduces a prophetic declaration, indicating a future realization or confession by the people of Israel. The Hebrew word for "now" (עַתָּה, 'attah) often signifies a turning point or a moment of realization. In the context of Hosea, it suggests an impending moment of clarity for Israel, where they will recognize the consequences of their actions. Historically, this reflects a period of impending judgment, where the people are forced to confront the reality of their spiritual and political situation.

We have no king
The absence of a king signifies a loss of leadership and direction. In ancient Israel, the king was seen as God's appointed leader, responsible for guiding the nation in accordance with divine law. The Hebrew word for "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melek) is significant, as it denotes not just a political leader but a spiritual representative of God's authority. This statement reflects Israel's recognition of their political instability and spiritual waywardness, as they have rejected God's kingship in favor of earthly rulers.

because we do not revere the LORD
This phrase highlights the root cause of Israel's predicament: their lack of reverence for God. The Hebrew word for "revere" (יָרֵא, yare) encompasses fear, awe, and respect. It implies a deep, abiding recognition of God's sovereignty and holiness. The Israelites' failure to revere the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh) is a central theme in Hosea, as it underscores their spiritual adultery and covenant unfaithfulness. This lack of reverence leads to their downfall, as they have turned to idols and foreign alliances instead of trusting in God.

What can a king do for us?
This rhetorical question underscores the futility of relying on human leadership in the absence of divine guidance. It reflects a moment of introspection and despair, as the people realize that without God's favor, even a king cannot save them. The question implies a recognition of their misplaced trust in political solutions rather than spiritual repentance. Historically, this reflects the period of the divided kingdom, where political alliances and idolatry led to national decline. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the necessity of placing ultimate trust in God rather than human institutions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hosea
A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Hosea's ministry was during a time of great moral and spiritual decline. He is known for using his own marriage as a metaphor for God's relationship with Israel.

2. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, often referred to as Ephraim in Hosea, was experiencing political instability and idolatry, leading to God's judgment.

3. The King
Refers to the earthly kings of Israel, who were often ineffective and led the people away from God.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, whom the people had forsaken, leading to their spiritual and political downfall.

5. Judgment
The context of Hosea 10 is a pronouncement of judgment against Israel for their unfaithfulness and idolatry.
Teaching Points
The Futility of Earthly Leadership Without God
Earthly leaders, no matter how powerful, cannot provide true security or guidance if the people do not revere God. Our ultimate trust must be in the Lord.

The Consequences of Forsaking God
Israel's lack of reverence for God led to their downfall. We must examine our own lives to ensure we are not placing anything above our relationship with God.

The Importance of Reverence for God
Reverence for God is foundational to a stable and righteous life. Without it, even the best human systems and leaders will fail.

Self-Examination in Times of Crisis
In times of trouble, we should reflect on our relationship with God rather than solely blaming external circumstances or leaders.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the historical context of Hosea 10:3 help us understand the Israelites' attitude towards their king and God?

2. In what ways do we see modern parallels to Israel's misplaced trust in human leadership?

3. How can we cultivate a deeper reverence for God in our daily lives?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that God remains the ultimate authority in our lives?

5. How do the warnings in Hosea 10:3 and related scriptures challenge us to evaluate our own spiritual priorities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 8
The Israelites demand a king to be like other nations, rejecting God as their true king. This sets the stage for the issues Hosea addresses.

2 Kings 17
Describes the fall of the Northern Kingdom due to their persistent idolatry and failure to heed the warnings of the prophets.

Psalm 146:3
Warns against putting trust in princes or mortal men, echoing the sentiment of Hosea 10:3 about the futility of relying on human leaders.

Jeremiah 2:13
Speaks of Israel forsaking God, the fountain of living waters, for broken cisterns, paralleling their rejection of God in Hosea.
Sermons
The Empty VineJ. Orr Hosea 10:1-3
The Calves and the KingsC. Jerdan Hosea 10:1-8
People
Hosea, Jacob, Jareb, Shalman
Places
Assyria, Aven, Beth-arbel, Beth-aven, Bethel, Gibeah, Gilgal, Samaria
Topics
Able, Fear, Feared, Revere, Surely, Truly
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hosea 10:3

     5896   irreverence

Library
'Fruit which is Death'
'Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. 2. Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: He shall break down their altars, He shall spoil their images. 3. For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord; what then should a king do to us? 4. They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Divided Heart
I intend, however, to take the text this morning specially with reference to our individual condition. We shall look at the separate individual heart of each man. If divisions in the great main body--if separation among the distinct classes of that body should each promote disasters, how much more disastrous must be a division in that better kingdom--the heart of man. If there be civil tumult in the town of Mansoul, even when no enemy attacks its walls, it will be in a sufficiently dangerous position. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

How to Promote a Revival.
Text.--Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.--Hosea x. 12. THE Jews were a nation of farmers, and it is therefore a common thing in the Scriptures to refer for illustrations to their occupation, and to the scenes with which farmers and shepherds are familiar. The prophet Hosea addresses them as a nation of backsliders, and reproves them for their idolatry, and threatens them with the judgments of God. I have showed you in my first …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of Particular Introduction is to Consider the Books of the Bible Separately...
CHAPTER XVIII. THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AS A WHOLE. 1. The province of Particular Introduction is to consider the books of the Bible separately, in respect to their authorship, date, contents, and the place which each of them holds in the system of divine truth. Here it is above all things important that we begin with the idea of the unity of divine revelation--that all the parts of the Bible constitute a gloriously perfect whole, of which God and not man is the author. No amount of study devoted …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Arbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Letter Xli to Thomas of St. Omer, after He had Broken his Promise of Adopting a Change of Life.
To Thomas of St. Omer, After He Had Broken His Promise of Adopting a Change of Life. He urges him to leave his studies and enter religion, and sets before him the miserable end of Thomas of Beverley. To his dearly beloved son, Thomas, Brother Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, that he may walk in the fear of the Lord. 1. You do well in acknowledging the debt of your promise, and in not denying your guilt in deferring its performance. But I beg you not to think simply of what you promised, but to …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
Rom. viii. 1.--"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." There are three things which concur to make man miserable,--sin, condemnation, and affliction. Every one may observe that "man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward," that his days here are few and evil. He possesses "months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed" for him. Job v. 6, 7, vii. 3. He "is of few days and full of trouble," Job xiv. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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