Hosea 9:15. “All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of Mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.”
Sometimes we are inclined to believe that God will love us no matter how evil we are, no matter how disobedient, how ungodly. This verse and the next two verses in this chapter make it clear that there is a limit to the love of God. That limit is closely tied with our turning our backs on Him; and with idolatry and the sinful behavior that goes with it. He warns often and repeatedly that judgment is coming. He gives far more mercy and grace than we deserve, and because of that we go on behaving as if He will love us no matter what.
Why does God specifically mention Gilgal? At one time, it had been the place where the prophets of God were trained under Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:1; 4:38). It was a center for the worship of God, and had been blessed by Him. Now, it was the center for the worst kind of immorality and other evil that went hand-in-hand with idolatry, and God says, “I hated them there, for the wickedness of their doings.”
Furthermore, God hates a rebellious spirit, and He says here that all the princes (leaders, rulers) in Gilgal were rebellious against Him.
One wonders why they weren’t shaking in their sandals, until we stop to think of the America that used to be, not so very long ago, compared to America today. It is we who should be shaking in our shoes!
Linda's Bible Study 