Hosea 8:14

For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and built palaces,

And Judah has multiplied fortified cities,

But I will send a fire on his cities,

And it will devour its castles.'

And all this was because Israel had forgotten its Maker (compare Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 32:18) and were therefore, along with Judah, busy making themselves substitutes, this included multiplied fortified cities, palaces and castles, and multiplied altars. But once the one living God had been dispensed with, replacing Him would prove impossible. However, all these would be destroyed by fire, just as their false sacrifices had been.

The mention of Judah makes Judah's inclusion in Hosea's indictments all the more clear. They are not now simply seen as involved in the cult, but it is indirectly confirmed that they were in danger of being in wholesale rebellion against YHWH. His knowledge concerning the fortification of their cities brings home how familiar he was with what was going on in Judah.

We may summarise the situation of Israel as follows:

1) They had usurped Yahweh's sovereign authority over the nation (Hosea 8:4).

2) They were blatantly worshipping idols (Hosea 8:4).

3) They were depending on foreign treaties rather than on God (Hosea 8:9).

4) They had adopted and perpetuated a corrupt system of worship (Hosea 8:5; Hosea 8:11; Hosea 8:13).

5) They had arrogantly disregarded YHWH's Law (Hosea 8:1; Hosea 8:5; Hosea 8:12; Hosea 8:14).

6) They had forgotten their Maker (Hosea 8:14).

It was no wonder that God purposed final judgment upon them until they could in the distant future be brought back to repentance.