The glory of the idol is gone. Everything fades but the Lord.
Even though they acknowledge their unfaithfulness in v3 ‘we did not revere the Lord’ and they have made (false) ‘promises, oaths and agreements’ (v4) they soon begin not to mourn their sinfulness but their losses. They do not grieve of the loss of God’s presence but their idols especially the calf-idol.
“They make many promises, take false oaths and make agreements; therefore lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field. The people who live in Samaria fear for the calf-idol of Beth Aven. Its people will mourn over it, and so will its idolatrous priests, those who had rejoiced over its splendour, because it is taken from them into exile. It will be carried to Assyria as tribute for the great king. Ephraim will be disgraced; Israel will be ashamed of its foreign alliances.” (Hosea 10 v 4-6)
Repentance does not necessarily lead to reformation as it can be very shallow. ‘We did not’ soon gave way to sadness over the loss of their idol.
Bethel (house of God) the place for worship for the pilgrims had been renamed by the prophet Beth-Aven (house of iniquity). It teaches us of the divided heart.
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86 v 11)
Here are some popular prayers, “Hear me … Answer me … Look after me … Save me …”
We know all these and have said all these prayers at some point.
So had David and he uses them all in Psalm 86. But he also uses this prayer which isn’t as popular: Teach me, give me an undivided heart.
What is God teaching you at this moment of your life?
What are you reading that has caused growth to happen?
Where have you been corrected?
The most exciting prayer that you could pray is: Teach me. Give me an undivided heart.
Missions Paul 