Hosea 5 - Praying God's Word

Please read Hosea 5.

Meditate on verses 1a, 11, and 15.

Hear this, O priests!

Give heed, O house of Israel!

Listen, O house of the king!

For the judgment applies to you.

Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment,

because he was determined to follow man’s command.

I will go away and return to My place

until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face.

 In their affliction they will earnestly seek me.

Have you ever been at a Bible study or heard a sermon which you knew God was aiming the application at you? God opened Hosea 5 with a broad list of people as His sermon targets. All of the people who had the ability to shape a different outcome for those under their influence were included in His sermon focus.

The people of Israel were so deep into sin they did not know how to return to the LORD. They were so far into their spiritual harlotry they did not know right from wrong. They did not know the LORD or how to worship Him.

The people were in a crushed and oppressed state. They had determined to hear the voice of men rather than God, so God said He would send the people away. In their exile, they would realize their ways, repent, and seek God’s face. In affliction they would recognize their need for God and turn to Him.

What about your life? Is God trying to get your attention to recognize your need for Him? What a great privilege to have a God who loves you and desires for you to seek His face and listen to His voice!

Pray Hosea 5:1, 11, and 15 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let ______and me hear, give heed, and listen to You,

for the judgment applies to us!


We are oppressed and crushed in judgment


because we have been determined to follow
man’s command instead of Yours.


LORD, we acknowledge our guilt and seek Your face!


We earnestly seek You!


In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell