Hosea 7

Here God complains that though he had employed every means for reforming Israel, they still persisted in their iniquity, without fearing the consequences, Hosea 7:1 , Hosea 7:2 ; that those who ought to check their crimes were pleased with them, Hosea 7:3 ; and that they all burned with adultery, as an oven when fully heated, and ready to receive the kneaded dough, Hosea 7:4 . The fifth verse alludes to some recent enormities; the sixth charges them with dividing their time between inactivity and iniquity; the seventh alludes to their civil broils and conspiracies; (see 2 Kings 15:10 , 2 Kings 15:14 , 2 Kings 15:25 ;); the eighth to their joining themselves with idolatrous nations; and the ninth describes the sad consequence. The tenth verse reproves their pride and open contempt of God's worship; the eleventh reproves their foolish conduct in applying for aid to their enemies; (see 2 Kings 15:19 ; 2 Kings 17:4 ;); the twelfth and thirteenth threaten them with punishments; the fourteenth charges them with hypocrisy in their acts of humiliation; the fifteenth with ingratitude; and the image of the deceitful bow, in the sixteenth verse, is highly expressive of their frequent apostasies; and their hard speeches against God shall be visited upon them by their becoming a reproach in the land of their enemies.