By David Ettinger
There are certain passages in the Minor Prophets which seem to be directed at the United States as well as ancient Israel. Of course the U.S. was not in view back then, but how much of what was told the Israelites circa 740 B.C. applies to the U.S. in 2019?

One such passage is Hosea 4:1-6. Not every word uttered by the prophet quite fits the U.S. today, but the overall sentiment comes close enough as our moral and spiritual fiber is eroding by the day.
What do you think? Does this passage describe the U.S. of 2019 (especially the last verse), or am I too much of a Gloomy Gus?
Hosea 4:1-6
Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel,
For the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land,
Because there is no faithfulness or kindness
Or knowledge of God in the land.
There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery.
They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Therefore the land mourns,
And everyone who lives in it languishes
Along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky,
And also the fish of the sea disappear.
Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof;
For your people are like those who contend with the priest.
So you will stumble by day,
And the prophet also will stumble with you by night;
And I will destroy your mother.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being My priest.
Since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
Getting There
We’re not quite there yet, but we’re getting there rapidly. I believe our nation has exceeded the point of no return. Of course individuals will continue to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ daily, but I see no national revivals on the horizon. I believe that sliver of hope has come and gone.
Well, that’s the opinion of a grumpy old man. If you see things differently, please feel free to share!
Robert Chamberlain
April 23, 2019
As an outside observer, the US seems to be going the way of the West like here in the UK to a bleak post- Christian future. But as Christians we know that we’re part of something that’s going to surplant the UK and US etc.: the kingdom of God. So the future’s bleak for the polities of US and UK because they’re going to get swallowed up in God’s kingdom.
But that means that there is a hope and a future for Americans and Brits alike- to make peace with God and become subjects of His everlasting kingdom.
Suffice to say that the UK and US, along with the rest of the West, desperately need great awakenings!
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dettinger47
April 23, 2019
Very well said, Robert. Oh for the coming of the Kingdom of God!
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dettinger47
April 23, 2019
Here’s a followup I just thought of, Robert. Whenever I write about the U.S. in cultural terms, I pretty much am referring to all “Western” nations, exactly as you said regarding the UK. However, since I’ve only twice been to Europe, and briefly, I don’t want to comment on situations I haven’t witnessed.
For several decades now, it’s been said that the U.S. is about 10 years “behind” Europe, Australia, and New Zealand regarding the spiritual falls of our respective nations. In other words, where the U.K. is now, it’s said, the U.S. will be in 10 years (because we have a much larger evangelical base than most Western nations). That’s probably true, but I now believe that gap has shrunk to about 5 years.
But as you said, we’ve got the glorious Kingdom of God coming!!!
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Robert Chamberlain
April 23, 2019
As far as current trends suggest, I think you’re probably right, but God’s Spirit has a habit of going against trends so hopefully there’ll be revival, or even better, we say “maranatha!”
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dettinger47
April 23, 2019
You’re so right about trends and God paying them no heed. Despite the fact that I believe the time for revival has passed, I very much hope I’m wrong! Thanks, Robert.
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Robert Chamberlain
April 23, 2019
I’m not very expectant of revival, but I know God is able. I must say I very much dislike it when people “prophesy” revival. I suspect another prophet who’s days are similar to our own is Jeremiah. The false prophets were promising a short and sweet exile, Jeremiah insisted it would be long and bitter!
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dettinger47
April 23, 2019
Great reference to Jeremiah. I totally agree!
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Vincent S Artale Jr
April 23, 2019
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Sonrisa
April 23, 2019
My country is going the same way as US, UK ……
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dettinger47
April 23, 2019
I believe all Western nations are.
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Sonrisa
April 23, 2019
Yep! Unfortunately!
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Lisa Beth
April 23, 2019
Good points David, I agree. If we, in the west, don’t recognize our apostate condition we may fail to hear God’s call completely.
Instead of acknowledging our dark state, the church at large is compromising and marketing the Gospel to build a crowd and claim ‘look what God is doing’. It is the nauseating Laodician church.
I pray that the Body of Christ rise up boldly, no matter how rejected, and honor God as He so deserves.
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dettinger47
April 23, 2019
So well said, Lisa Beth. By the way, I like your phrasing as a headline for a blog: “The Nauseating Laodician Church”!
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Lisa Beth
April 23, 2019
Good blog idea! Looking forward to it.
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mrsmariposa2014
April 23, 2019
Yes, I have felt this passage speaks of our national condition for a while now. In reference to what Robert was saying above about those prophesying revival-I can recall sitting in our old church while “revival” was “prophesied” week by week, but, meanwhile, there were no heart changes going on, no emphasis on repentance. Rather, it was much more about what God could do for you-the proverbial Santa in the sky. And, forgive my soapbox (yes, I need to gather courage to set up another blog to keep my soapboxes in. Lol.), but, that is unfortunately what is seen in more and more churches in our current culture. It may take different forms, but too often it boils down to this:”What can He do for me?”, which I find as dangerous, if not more so, as those who outright deny knowledge of Him! I spent many a year wondering why I couldn’t jump on the bandwagon. Yet, now, I know I couldn’t deny what I’d read in this passage in Hosea and others like it. Biblical prophecy would indeed seem to indicate we won’t be able to stem the tide, but, lest we become downhearted, the same Word reminds us there’s always hope in Jesus! Hallelujah ! All we can do is live our lives in light of His goodness and pray hearts continue to be drawn to Him in these increasingly troubling times. For they will. And each is precious.
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dettinger47
April 23, 2019
Excellently said, Marisa. Our society definitely worships a “What can you do for me” God rather than the God of the Bible. But as you said in the bottom part of your insightful comment, there is always hope in Jesus, and we need to strive to live in the light of that hope! Hoping you return to the blogging universe soon!
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mrsmariposa2014
April 23, 2019
Thanks. I have prayerfully stepped back into the blogging world.
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Bruce
April 23, 2019
Hi David, I’d have a tendency to agree with you. That’s from one grumpy old man to another grumpy old man. Blessings!
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dettinger47
April 23, 2019
Thank you, Bruce, on behalf of the Fraternity of Grumpy Old Men!
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Dee@Sealed in Christ
April 23, 2019
I think maybe you know me well enough by now to know that I completely agree with you. When I hear people prophesy revival for the U.S. I cringe, because I don’t see that being an option for our country at this point. Our fate was already chosen by the majority long before now. But I also agree that individual lives continue to be impacted and won for Christ daily in our country. And will be up until the end of the age, because God is merciful. If you’re a grumpy old man, then I guess this opinion makes me a grumpy old woman. Great to know I’m in good company. 🙂
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dettinger47
April 23, 2019
Great insights. Dee
Greatly appreciated.
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My Way Home Life
April 23, 2019
I’ve had the same thoughts about America, though I am still praying for revival…
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dettinger47
April 24, 2019
Same here!
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seekingdivineperspective
April 24, 2019
I am continuing to pray daily for revival. I have my “grumpy” moments, but continue to believe that with God all things are possible. I am seeing some bright spots, such as more faith-based films hitting the theaters. For example, since the movie “Unplanned” came out, the last I read, nearly 100 abortion workers have walked out of their jobs, following the example of Abby Johnson. If committed Christians use their gifts to be salt and light (as you are doing with this blog) who knows what God can and will do? But let’s not flatter ourselves. AMERICA’s not that important and is mentioned nowhere in last-days prophesy. If the US is dead and gone by the time Jesus returns, it will not surprise me, either.
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.” C. S. Lewis
(That’s the divine perspective. 😉 )
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dettinger47
April 24, 2019
Great insights here! This looks like a great outline for a future blog by you? Either way, thanks so much for sharing.
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seekingdivineperspective
April 24, 2019
LOL, I have many ideas for “future blogs.” If the day only had a few more hours in it… or if I didn’t need to sleep… 😉
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dettinger47
April 24, 2019
Sleep is overrated! 😉😉
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bigskybuckeye
April 24, 2019
I will admit that I become disappointed at times with some of the circumstances facing mankind in the 21st Century. However, the teacher in me (after 40 years), still holds on to optimism even though I have retired. In looking back at American history, this country has gone through other periods of upheaval. I still believe that God has a plan, and it is never too late.
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dettinger47
April 24, 2019
I agree that God has a plan, Big Sky. Because of that I have a degree of optimism as well, but history also shows that it is not the pattern of nations (just look at the countries of Europe) to grow closer to God, but to continue to fall further and further away.
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seekingdivineperspective
April 24, 2019
There also seems to be the attitude (conscious or unconscious) that God would never let America be destroyed. We’re so special. Sort of the way Israel thought as God’s people they would never be conquered…
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dettinger47
April 25, 2019
Precisely!
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annj49
May 13, 2019
Rightly or not, I always see the US in Revelation 18 and I think of the Twin Towers, a main business thoroughfare of wealth and commerce, destroyed in an hour while people watched from afar and the people had dust on their heads, and wept bitterly….
I guess we all ponder about everyone’s place in the end times, of which I am sure we are all a part….
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dettinger47
May 13, 2019
There are many who agree with you, Ann. Thank you for sharing!
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