As we continue our reading in the Book of Hosea, we see
that this great man of God was a master preacher. He
pictures the spiritual condition of the people as a
morning cloud (chapter 6:4); here one minute and gone
the next. He then pictures their spiritual condition as
a half-baked cake (chapter 7:8), for their religion had
not gotten deep into their lives. Rather, it was a
surface thing. In chapter 7:11 they are pictured as a
silly dove–unstable, always flying from one thing to
another. Then, in verse 16, their spirituality is
pictured as a deceitful bow, one that cannot be
depended upon.
Israel was a backslidden nation; she had broken
her vows with the Lord and had gotten completely away
from Him. God was still the God of the nation, but
because the people had turned their backs on Him, they
had lost their joy, their power, and their usefulness.
Now God was going to judge them. In chapter 8 Hosea
sees Assyria coming to chasten the nation by delivering
it into slavery. He pictures this judgment as the
coming of an eagle (verse 1), the wrath of the
whirlwind (verse 7), and the burning of a fire (verse
14). The nation will be scattered (verse 8). Chapter
10:12-15 says they will reap more than they have sown.
Paul says, in Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is
not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap.”
Why did God permit Israel to be judged by the
wicked Assyrians? Because He loved His people, and this
was the only way they would listen. They had to be
shown, and God’s chastening hand of love fell upon
them. As we will see in our readings, the people did
repent.