Hosea 9: The Seriousness of the Sin of Idolatry

Hosea 9 warns of God's severest judgments for Israel's sin of idolatry: the worship of Baal, the god of fertility. Instead of fertility, God will give them failed wheat and wine harvests, childlessness, a miscarrying womb and dry breasts, and bereavement of any children they are able to bear. They will be driven from their land by an enemy who will kill their children. For their idolatry and wickedness, God will hate them (v15), drive them from His house (His land), and love them no more. They shall be castaways and wander among the nations. This chapter should warn any reader, how serious the sin of idolatry is to our God.