(a8) A ruinous domestic policy.Ch.7:1-7.
In this section Hosea deals with the nation of Israel`s sin particularly in domestic matters.
Verse 1-2.
The last line of chapter 6:11b belongs to this chapter. God's attempt to bring Isreal back to Himself is seen through His sending of Prophets to declare His word to them, that word was a word of judgement and a word of hope.The result of the coming of the word of God only highlighted the depth of sin that had been committed by the nations.
Samaria which was the capital of the Northern kingdom (Isreal) is seen by the prophet as a city of crime and evil. Hosea makes reference to gangs of thieves and robbers, who roamed its streets looking for victims to rob and murder.
Verse 3-4.
It would seem that the kings and princes were actually pleased with the sin of their people.The prophet picked out the sin of adultery as being one of the evils of the society,it was obviously linked with the licentious worship of Ba`al.The inhabitants of Samaria in their zeal for evil and sin are compared to a heated oven, a striking illustration of lust. So the nation was crumbling because of moral failure.
Verse 5-7.
Here we see the prophet giving an example of the inflamed passion that drove the leadership of the nation not only to commit adultery but to murder their kings.This is not an isolated incident, for over a period of many years, the history of Isreal reveals that many of their kings were murdered. In Hosea's time he experienced with horror the murder of king Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah.(2 kings 15: 10, 14, 25, 30.)Even though this happened no one in the nation sought God for deliverance and help.
(a9) A fatal foreign policy.(ch.7:8-16).
In the previous section Hosea reveals the stupidity and evil that was ingrained in Israel`s domestic policy, now in this section he reveals the weakness of Israel`s foreign policy.
Verse 8.
It would seem that many foreigners were living among the Isrealites, the Israelities had encouraged cross-cultural relationship. So with the coming of the foreigners came all the evils of heathen religion and pagan ways. "A flat cake turned over, cannot be eaten", it is infact useless and the best thing to do with it is to throw it away.
Verse 9.
Isreal were blind, in that they did not really know what they were accepting.The foreigners had carried into the Isreali culture evil and pagan rituals which Isreal unconsciously accepted with out thought, until the nation became worthless as a half backed cake.
Verse 10.
Even though these things had taken place, Isreal never once saw the need to turn to God for help.
Verse 11.
The nation of Israel is described as a dove, easily decieved and senseless, they were easily lured into sin by nations such as Egypt and Assyria.
Verse 12.
The suggestion is made that God is like fowler throwing His net over Israel pulling her back to Himself for correction.The idea of the Isrealites being "caught" (yasar) which literally means 'to chastise'. Assyria is to be the tool which God would use to devastate Isreal.
Verse 13.
The two main words here are "woe & destruction" ('oy & sod) Isreal are condemned to destruction at the hand of the assyrians, God had wanted to help them but they refused
to acknowledge Him.
Verse 14.
Even though Isreal was to be judged by a foreign nation, even though they knew that they were to be comdemned, they still were seeking gain from their sinful ways and at no time did they call upon the Lord.
Verse 15.
It would seem that the children of Israel plotted evil against God, this would seem to indicate that they gave themselves collectively to the worship of Baal and persued cultic practices.
Verse 16.
"Most high", the Isrealites were turning in every direction for help except in the direction of God Himself. "The leaders will fall by the sword" seems to indicate that many of them of their kings would in fact be murdered. History proves this to be the case. (see verse 7:7).
The Hebrew word (za'am le sonam) is translated "insolent words" which gives to us an indication of Israel's boast and spirit of self dependance.This boast was made to Egypt in the days of Jeroboam 2,now according to this verse,Egypt would laugh and ridicule Israel.