Hosea 9:5
What will you do on the appointed day, on the day of the LORD's feast?
What will you do on the appointed day
This phrase questions the Israelites' preparedness for the coming judgment. The "appointed day" refers to specific times set by God for worship and reflection, such as the Sabbath or other holy convocations. Historically, these days were meant for the Israelites to renew their covenant with God. The rhetorical question implies that the people are unprepared for the divine scrutiny that will accompany these days. In a broader biblical context, this can be seen as a call to repentance, similar to the warnings given by other prophets like Amos (Amos 5:18-20) and Isaiah (Isaiah 1:13-14).

on the day of the LORD’s feast?
The "day of the LORD's feast" refers to the sacred festivals ordained by God, such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These feasts were times of celebration and remembrance of God's deliverance and provision. However, Hosea's use of this phrase suggests a time when these feasts will be turned into mourning due to the people's unfaithfulness. Theologically, this points to the idea that external rituals are meaningless without true devotion and obedience to God. This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on outward religious observance without inner transformation (Matthew 23:23-28). The "day of the LORD" also carries eschatological significance, often associated with God's ultimate judgment and the establishment of His kingdom, as seen in the prophetic writings of Joel (Joel 2:1-2) and Zephaniah (Zephaniah 1:14-18).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hosea
A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC. His ministry focused on calling Israel to repentance and warning of impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness to God.

2. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, often depicted in Hosea as unfaithful to God, likened to an adulterous spouse. The nation is facing impending judgment due to idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness.

3. The Appointed Day
Refers to the sacred festivals and feasts established by God for Israel, which were meant to be times of worship and remembrance of God's covenant and blessings.

4. The Day of the LORD
A term often used by prophets to describe a time of divine intervention, judgment, or deliverance. In this context, it implies a day of reckoning for Israel's sins.

5. Feast of the LORD
These are the holy convocations commanded by God, such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles, which were central to Israel's worship and identity.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genuine Worship
God desires worship that is sincere and rooted in a heart of obedience and love. Rituals and traditions are meaningless if they are not accompanied by a true commitment to God.

The Consequences of Unfaithfulness
Israel's neglect of their covenant relationship with God led to judgment. This serves as a warning to believers today about the dangers of spiritual complacency and idolatry.

Reflecting on the Day of the LORD
The "day of the LORD" is a reminder of God's ultimate authority and the certainty of His judgment. Believers are called to live in anticipation of this day, aligning their lives with God's will.

The Role of Festivals in Spiritual Life
While the specific feasts of Israel are not observed by Christians, the principle of setting aside time for worship, reflection, and community remains vital for spiritual growth.

Repentance and Restoration
Hosea's message is ultimately one of hope, pointing to the possibility of restoration through repentance. Believers are encouraged to seek God's forgiveness and renewal.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Hosea 9:5 challenge our understanding of religious observance and its significance in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship is genuine and pleasing to God, rather than merely ritualistic?

3. How do the themes of judgment and repentance in Hosea relate to the New Testament teachings on grace and salvation?

4. What are some modern "idols" that might distract us from our covenant relationship with God, similar to those faced by Israel?

5. How can we incorporate the principle of "appointed days" or times of reflection and worship into our personal and communal spiritual practices?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 23
This chapter outlines the appointed feasts of the LORD, providing context for what Hosea refers to as the "appointed day" and the "day of the LORD’s feast."

Amos 5:21-24
Amos, another prophet, speaks against Israel's superficial observance of feasts, emphasizing that God desires justice and righteousness over ritualistic worship.

Isaiah 1:13-14
Isaiah echoes a similar sentiment, where God expresses disdain for empty religious rituals that are not accompanied by genuine repentance and obedience.
Feasting After Unaccepted SacrificeRobert Tuck, B. A.Hosea 9:5
The Solemn Days of LifeHomilistHosea 9:5
The Solemn Days of LifeD. Thomas Hosea 9:5
What Will Ye Do?J.R. Thomson Hosea 9:5
The Lord's Land for the Lord's PeopleJ. Orr Hosea 9:1-6
The Assyrian CaptivityC. Jerdan Hosea 9:1-9
People
Baalpeor, Hosea
Places
Assyria, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Gibeah, Gilgal, Memphis
Topics
Appointed, Assembly, Feast, Feasts, Festival, Season, Solemn, Worship
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hosea 9:5

     7355   feasts and festivals, nature of

Hosea 9:5-6

     4540   weeds

Library
Of Councils and their Authority.
1. The true nature of Councils. 2. Whence the authority of Councils is derived. What meant by assembling in the name of Christ. 3. Objection, that no truth remains in the Church if it be not in Pastors and Councils. Answer, showing by passages from the Old Testament that Pastors were often devoid of the spirit of knowledge and truth. 4. Passages from the New Testament showing that our times were to be subject to the same evil. This confirmed by the example of almost all ages. 5. All not Pastors who
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Earliest Chapters in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: The nature of inspiration] Since the days of the Greek philosophers the subject of inspiration and revelation has been fertile theme for discussion and dispute among scholars and theologians. Many different theories have been advanced, and ultimately abandoned as untenable. In its simplest meaning and use, inspiration describes the personal influence of one individual upon the mind and spirit of another. Thus we often say, "That man inspired me." What we are or do under the influence
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

John's Introduction.
^D John I. 1-18. ^d 1 In the beginning was the Word [a title for Jesus peculiar to the apostle John], and the Word was with God [not going before nor coming after God, but with Him at the beginning], and the Word was God. [Not more, not less.] 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him [the New Testament often speaks of Christ as the Creator--see ver. 10; I. Cor. viii. 6; Col. i. 13, 17; Heb. i. 2]; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. [This
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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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