Hosea 4:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In the same way regarding Israel, when Ephraim is mentioned, the name is borrowed from the ruling tribe. Therefore, it is affirmed that Ephraim partook of idols, for they worshipped the sacred of the Egyptians (which was Apis, the heifer) and joined in the profound error and folly of the Canaanites, who, according to their practices, honored the vile idol Beelphegor. In doing this, Ephraim ‘brought temptations upon himself,’ offending the God who assists and saves. ‘Choose the Canaanites’—implying they admired the ways of the Canaanites as noble and worthy to emulate. The Canaanites, being neighbors of Judah, epitomized wickedness and idolatry. Moreover, the Israelites were engaged in spiritual fornication to an extreme extent, reaching a degree of disgraceful apostasy. They loved ‘dishonor because of their whisperings’—the blatant insolence displayed toward God and His glory—leading them to true dishonor, humiliation, and wretchedness, stripping them of their former pride, such that they could no longer claim to be free, but instead would face mockery and disgrace, becoming subjugated by harsh rulers. However, if the most foolish counsel of Ephraim led to all this, then you, Judah, were like a ‘whirlwind of spirit’ to them. It is well known that birds propelled by strong winds can fly with greater speed. Similarly, Israel strayed from the righteous path, influenced by you, becoming a ‘whirlwind of the spirit in the wings of a bird.’ In what way? When he observed that you, instructed by the law and possessing the temple of God, along with offering the established sacrifices, lived carelessly and shared in similar transgressions, he began to drift further away from the law at an alarming rate. Moreover, the altars of their ‘trebishets’ will, to their regret, serve as evidence of their disgrace and shame. Thus, if we, who believe we ‘stand’ (1 Cor. 10:12), are expected to live with integrity and righteousness but remain lazy and indifferent, even leaning toward the dismissal of God’s commands, we not only harm ourselves but draw others into ruin with us, facing grave consequences because we, meant to be role models of virtue for those who stray and resist a righteous life, become stumbling blocks. And what does Christ say about this? ‘Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea’ (Matthew 18:6).

Therefore, O Judah, heed my counsel, for I previously advised that even if Israel falls into sin, Judah should refrain from transgressing. Do not ignore the prophet’s words. Since Ephraim has forever aligned himself with idol worship, abandon him; do not follow the wickedness of one whose devotion, practices, and nourishment differ from what you partake in. They consistently serve idols, offering sacrifices to demons, engaging in immorality, and reveling in their sinful ways; even his leaders and rulers have sought to bring disgrace upon the people. Consequently, due to the faults of their leaders, the suffering people have succumbed to idol worship, shackled by an unclean spirit that restrains Israel from soaring freely. They will be ashamed of their offerings, taking the disgrace of their leaders upon themselves. The spirit that binds him can be likened to wind held on windy wings, symbolizing the union of leaders and the people, or of demons and Israel, vanity coexisting with vanity. In Hebrew, both wind and spirit share the word "ruah." While the mention of the Canaanites is not present in the Hebrew, it can be understood that Israel was so fervent in idolatry that they not only mimicked the Canaanites, but made them followers of their own delusion. This idea can relate to heretics as well. To those within the Church, it is stated that as Ephraim, meaning fruitful, falsely attributes richness in teachings and fruitful doctrines to himself, remaining forever allied with demons, you must reject and scorn him, particularly as their offerings differ from yours. Their feasts indeed are distinct. They have perpetually engaged in immorality, and their leaders have led the unfortunate populace astray, conditioning them to the disgrace of idolatry rather than serving God. The spirit of the devil ties tightly those carried away by diverse doctrines, preventing them from standing firm within the Church. They will face true shame for their sacrifices, as their sustenance is sorrowful bread. The reference to calling the Canaanites similarly applies to heretics, as many of them have devised abominable practices and unclean sacrifices that are even lower than idolatry. Alternatively, “Canaanite,” meaning merchant or changer, refers to those who transform the Father’s house into a marketplace, seeking gain from the people while exchanging the truth of the Church for falsehood.