1. Hosea 2:11–12 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the significance of the repeated pronoun “her”?

Hosea 2:11–12 (ESV)

11 And I will put an end to all her mirth, her feasts, her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her appointed feasts.

Similarly to Hosea 2:5, it seems Israel saw herself as the rightful possessor of all that she had. Instead of acknowledging God as the providential Source of all her blessings and security, Israel attributed them to the Baals. Though God gave all that Israel had (Hosea 2:8), the people of God did not see this. Thus the feasts and Sabbaths were no longer understood in light of their relationship with God (Hosea 2:10). Now they belonged to Israel and were offered up to the Baals (Hosea 2:13). Israel had essentially abandoned her identity as God’s people, through idolatry and syncretism.