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Hosea 4:12 Cross References
My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse
Listed below are the Bible themes associated with Hosea 4:12. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.
Hosea 4:12 Cross Reference Verses
This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to Hosea 4:12 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.
Hosea 5:4 (KJV) »
They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.
Jeremiah 2:27 (KJV) »
Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
Habakkuk 2:19 (KJV) »
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
Numbers 15:39 (KJV) »
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
Deuteronomy 31:16 (KJV) »
And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.
Isaiah 44:18 (KJV) »
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
Hosea 9:1 (KJV) »
Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.
Leviticus 17:7 (KJV) »
And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.
Micah 2:11 (KJV) »
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
Ezekiel 21:21 (KJV) »
For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
Jeremiah 3:1 (KJV) »
They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 10:8 (KJV) »
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Psalms 73:27 (KJV) »
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
2 Chronicles 21:13 (KJV) »
But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:
Leviticus 20:5 (KJV) »
Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 (KJV) »
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Hosea 4:12 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses
Understanding Hosea 4:12
Bible Verse: Hosea 4:12 - "My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from their God."
Overview of Hosea 4:12
The verse from Hosea reveals the spiritual condition of the people of Israel, highlighting their abandonment of God in favor of false idols and practices. It signifies a deep moral decline characterized by reliance on inanimate objects, referred to here as "stocks" and "staff," for guidance in life. The verse succinctly captures Israel's infidelity to God through their engagement in idolatrous practices.
Thematic Connections
This verse relates to major themes in the Bible regarding idolatry, divine guidance, and the consequences of abandoning God's ways. The discussions on false worship provide a significant warning against similar practices that can lead believers today astray.
Key Interpretations from Public Domain Commentaries
Matthew Henry's Commentary
Matthew Henry emphasizes the folly of seeking guidance from lifeless objects. He remarks that the Israelites turned to these idols, reflecting the disorder in their worship and the loss of their relationship with God. Henry warns that such inclinations foster spiritual blindness and lead one further away from divine truth.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Albert Barnes interprets the "stocks" and "staff" as representations of the idols and false gods that the Israelites sought counsel from. He points out the absurdity of seeking wisdom from inanimate creations while neglecting the living God, who is the source of all wisdom. Barnes also highlights that these practices stemmed from a spiritual corruption that had taken root in their hearts.
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke elaborates on the phrase "spirit of whoredoms," pointing out that it signifies a pervasive and corruptive influence leading the people away from fidelity to God. Clarke stresses that the people's actions are not mere mistakes but a willful departure from their God-given responsibilities, resulting in moral and spiritual degradation.
Related Bible Cross-References
- Leviticus 17:7 - "And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring." – Connecting to idolatry and the consequences of turning from God.
- Jeremiah 2:13 - "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." – The act of abandoning God for inadequate substitutes.
- Isaiah 44:20 - "He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" – Illustrating the futility of idolatry.
- Revelation 21:8 - "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." – The end result of spiritual infidelity.
- 1 John 5:21 - "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." – A direct admonition against idolatry meant for believers.
- James 4:4 - "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" – The consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness.
- Psalm 106:39 - "Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions." – A historical account of Israel’s transgressions against God.
- Matthew 6:24 - "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other." – Highlighting the impossibility of dual allegiance.
Applications of Hosea 4:12 Today
Modern readers can draw significant lessons from Hosea 4:12. Here are a few applications:
- Vigilance Against Idolatry: Reflect on what modern "stocks and staff" may represent in our lives—material possessions, career ambitions, or unhealthy relationships that distract from our dedication to God.
- Seeking True Guidance: Emphasize the importance of seeking counsel through prayer and Scripture rather than through worldly or superficial means that lack spiritual truth.
- Understanding Consequences: Recognize that turning away from God can lead to spiritual errors and misguidance, urging a collective return to fidelity in faith.
- Spiritual Renewal: Just as Hosea called Israel to repentance, modern readers are encouraged to renew their commitments to God and seek His wisdom.
Conclusion
Hosea 4:12 serves as a rich reminder of the dangers of abandoning God for idols and the wisdom to be derived from understanding His word. By studying this verse and its accompanying cross-references, individuals can gain deeper insights into the nature of their faith and the importance of remaining true to God's teachings. Through careful study and cross-referencing, believers can cultivate a richer understanding of the Scriptures and their interconnectedness, strengthening their spiritual lives and communal faith.