The following post was written by my friend, Rev. Jerrold Lewis, of the Free Reformed Churches.
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“They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good…” (Hosea 4:13).
What was found in the Qumran caves was nothing new to Israel. In Hosea’s day, heart religion had long become a relic. Over generations, the fire of first love had all but gone out. Historically, slipping happens in stages. Typically, the first generation is passionate, the second grows complacent, and the third rebels. It’s a story as old as time. When the heart of religious man turns from the living God, it will fill that heart with other things. Oh, how each generation needs a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit! By the time we meet Israel in Hosea, the covenant people are in the third stage, rebellion.
Yet, this rebellion was not easily spotted. They still brought their sacrifices to the altar. They still offered their tithes and observed the holy days. The priests still performed their duties, just like past generations. To the casual eye, things appeared status quo. Outwardly, at least, Israel’s calendar was full, their altars were hot, the priesthood was sacrificing.
West Port Experiment 