Hosea 7:1-16
Q.1. What was the sin of Israel and their leaders? What crucial truth had they overlooked in their daily activities? – (Hos.7:1-7)
The people oppressed the defenseless. The king and princes were often in a drunken stupor. However, they had overlooked the fact that what they concealed from others was known by God – And they do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their deeds are all around them; They are before My face (see Hos.7:2). To add to their arrogance – none of them calls on Me (Hos.7:7).
Q.2. How was Israel insulting God? What could God do? What would God do? – (Hos.7:8-16)
The bondage to sin was bringing on early ageing (see Hos.7:9). Yet they continued to devise evil against the Lord. If they had genuinely cried out to God from their hearts – I would redeem them (Hos.7:13 c.f. 7:14). Though they turned, they would not look upward. God had no choice but to bring on them all that He had warned – 12 When they go, I will spread My net over them; I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will chastise them in accordance with the proclamation to their assembly. 13 Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction is theirs, for they have rebelled against Me! … (Hos.7:12-13). Their approach to God was disingenuous – 14 They do not cry to Me from their heart when they wail on their beds … 16 They turn, but not upward … (Hos.7:14 & 16 c.f. Jms.4:1-6).