Bible Commentaries
Hosea 7

Verses 1-16

The prophet then declared more particularly the true state of affairs. The divine desire to heal was frustrated by the pollution and the people's persistent ignoring of God. Hosea graphically described the widespread pollution. The king, the princess, and the judges were corrupt. All were affected as by the heat of wine and the leaven of evil.

With reference to the widespread influence of Ephraim, the prophet described the tribe as mixing among the people. This ancient tribe was like a cake not turned, a symbol of utter failure, undeveloped on one side, and burned on the other. Moreover, it was, like a silly dove in its manifestation of fear and cowardice. The statement of the case was concluded by a declaration of the utter folly of the people. God was scourging them toward redemption, and in the process they were howling, assembling, and yet continuing in rebellion.