And my people are bent on backsliding from me,

Though they call them to on high,

None at all will exalt him.'

This was all necessary and certain because of the fact was that the people were intent on backsliding from YHWH. Their hearts were set against Him. They might give the impression of calling on the One Who was ‘on High' (compare Hosea 7:16), but really it was not with the intention of truly exalting Him. It was rather with a perfunctory and formal acknowledgement of His existence because of their historical past.

Alternately some see the reference as to Baal as Canaan's high God, to whom the people sought, and who would be in no position to exalt Israel. They would thus discover that it was a waste of time. But Hosea 7:16 confirms that YHWH is meant.

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