Hosea 7

Israel saw her sickness (5:13).  She may have feigned turning to God (6:1-4).  And when God came to heal her His initial diagnosis uncovered her sin (7:1).  Did they really think that they could fool God in the way that they apparently fooled (or perhaps followed) their leaders?  Of course not.  God knows.  He sees through all the supposed good works on the outside and can detect the sick hypocrisy of the heart.  Israel’s internal spirit of harlotry (4:12; 5:4) is found.

Through several brilliant similes the Great Physician describes what was found.  This is His description of the sick patient.

·        7:4-7: Israel is like a baker’s oven.  The baker keeps the oven low until he is ready to use it.  The day of the king may refer to the yearly anniversary of the coronation day, a day of drunkenness and riotous partying.  The fire of people’s lusts burns low, seeming not burning hot; but as soon as the opportunity comes the flame of lust if fanned into a hot flame.  Here is the way Dr. Feinberg described the picture God has in mind here:

Their evil lusts, already set on fire, although kept under the form of calm respectability, were merely awaiting the opportunity to break forth in the most hideous deeds of immorality.

·        7:8-10: Israel is like a cake unturned.  The picture is of a small cake, similar to a pancake, cooked on one side but only lightly cooked on the other.  The result is a cake that is not done; it’s still doughy in the middle.  Israel is like that: appearing done but not done.  That’s what the gray hairs are about: looking mature and yet compromised, without strength.

·        7:11-12: Israel is like a silly dove.  The meaning of this is given in the text: without sense.  Doves do a lot of flittering around; they listen to every call, flying in every direction.  So Israel is like that: lots of movement but without reason.  They are attracted by every idolatrous idea.  Then note in v12 that God is like a hunter of birds; He will chasten His people.

·        7:13-16: Israel is like a treacherous bow.  Verses 13-15 are somewhat the theme of Hosea.  Israel has rejected (fled from) the God who loves her.  They turn in every direction but the right one, much like the silly dove but also like the treacherous bow: a bow that is not sighted in, that will not send its arrows where they need to go.  

All of this sounds like our idea, that the repentant prayer of 6:1-3, if uttered by the people of Israel, meant absolutely nothing.  Can we suggest here that for us, a confession of faith is only a true receiving of Christ if it is from the heart.  Peter’s words in 2 Pet. 1:10 are well said: give diligence brethren to make your calling and election sure.