1. Hosea 4:3 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What are the consequences of the bad behaviour of God’s people?

Hosea 4:3 (ESV)

3 Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the sea are taken away.

There are consequences not only for Israel’s relationship with God, but also for their environment, including the land and the animals. Perhaps this refers to a real natural disaster that would occur then or later. In any case, it is clear that man’s bad behaviour creates victims throughout creation. Everything suffers, including the animals, birds and fish. When man behaves badly, all creation falls victim to it. In Romans 8:20 Paul speaks about the creation that is subjected to meaninglessness, by God, because of the sin of man. Environmental pollution has everything to do with our behaviour!