PART II., HOSEA 4-14. A series of addresses which give a summary of Hosea's prophetic teaching. The period presupposed seems to be the time of anarchy which followed the death of Jeroboam II (_c._ 743 B.C.). But there is no reason to suppose that the sections are arranged in chronological order. In... [ Continue Reading ]
HOSEA 6:4 TO HOSEA 7:2. ISRAEL'S MORAL CONDITION HOPELESSLY CORRUPT. The shallow expressions of loyalty by the fickle people mean nothing, and cannot avert Yahweh's inevitable judgment. He looks for real loyalty, not for a hollow ritual of sacrifices (Hosea 6:4). Examples of the anarchy and crime th... [ Continue Reading ]
WICKEDNESS ENCOURAGED IN HIGH PLACES. King and princes gladly share in the prevailing wickedness adultery, drunkenness and the court itself is the scene of treachery, conspiracy, and assassinations. The text is corrupt, and contains allusions to events of the details of which we are ignorant. HOSE... [ Continue Reading ]
HOSEA 7:8 TO HOSEA 8:3. POLITICAL DECAY THE OUTWARD SIGN OF ISRAEL'S MORAL DECAY. The attempts to cure national ills and secure safety by foreign aid, instead of by turning to Yahweh, are foredoomed to failure; Yahweh Himself frustrates them and will bring the misguided people to punishment and ruin... [ Continue Reading ]