Punishment Proportional to Privilege
W. G. Barrett. 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 my house… Translated into modern life, the prophet's plea would read thus. "All their wickedness is in the house of God; all their wickedness is after coming from the table of the Lord, or after receiving some faithful letter, or after their own painful convictions and sorrowful confession, or after their repeated resolutions and vows. This helps us to realise how a Jew would feel who heard the prophet make this reproach. 1. At Gilgal the covenant of circumcision was renewed for the second time since they came out of Egypt. What circumcision was to the Jew, religious instruction is to us: circumcision was God's seal to the Jews that He would cleanse them from taint of Egyptian idolatry. 2. At Gilgal they celebrated the passover for the first time after they came out of Egypt. The Lord's supper is our passover. 3. It was at Gilgal that God Himself appeared in a most remarkable manner to assure the people of Israel that He would be their deliverer. The captains of the Lord's host came. Observe Joshua's momentary surprise, courage, reverence.Notice the communication. 1. Beginning life in humble circumstances may be a Gilgal to us. 2. So may a season of affliction be. Or 3. The loss of a dear friend. But the wickedness of Gilgal may be taken away. (W. G. Barrett.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: "All their wickedness is in Gilgal; for there I hated them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of my house! I will love them no more. All their princes are rebels.