Hosea 7:1

CHAPTER VII

Here God complains that though he had employed every means for

reforming Israel, they still persisted in their iniquity,

without fearing the consequences, 1, 2;

that those who ought to check their crimes were pleased with

them, 3;

and that they all burned with adultery, as an oven when fully

heated, and ready to receive the kneaded dough, 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.

NOTES ON CHAP. VII

Verse Hosea 7:1. When I would have healed Israel] As soon as one wound was healed, another was discovered. Scarcely was one sin blotted out till another was committed.

The thief cometh in] Their own princes spoil them.

The troop of robbers spoileth without.] The Assyrians, under different leaders, waste and plunder the country.