Chapters seven and eight of Hosea cover the sins of Israel in forsaking Jehovah and Jehovah’s punishments on Israel because of their forsaking of Him.
The sins of Israel were in two categories: sins in their social life among the people and the rulers and evils in their relationship with Jehovah. Israel was wrong with man and also with God.
Hosea 7:1-7 speaks of the sins of Israel in their social life.
Israel’s sins in their social life included falsehood, theft, raids, evils, lies, intoxication, and scorn (7:1-3, 5). On the feast day of the king, the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine, and the king stretched out his hand with scorners.
Adultery was practiced by all of the people. They burned like an oven in their lust, devouring their judges (the priests) and making all their kings fall (vv. 4, 6-7). Hosea used the parable of a baker to portray Israel’s burning lust. Even the kings could not stand against the burning lust within them.
In verses 8 through 16 Hosea speaks regarding Israel’s evils in their relationship with Jehovah.
They wandered from Jehovah, not returning to Him and not seeking after Him (vv. 13, 10, 16a, 14).
Ephraim (another term for the northern kingdom of Israel) was likened to an unturned cake (v. 8). This symbolizes that they were stubborn to remain in a charcoaled condition and would not turn to Jehovah.
Verses 11 and 12 say, “Ephraim has become like a silly dove / Without understanding: / They call to Egypt; / They go to Assyria. / When they go, / I will spread My net over them; / I will bring them down like the birds of heaven; / I will chasten them according to the report given to their assembly.” Israel’s being likened to a silly dove symbolizes that they were lacking the proper knowledge of God in His economy. Many of today’s Christians are lacking the knowledge of God’s economy. They do not realize that God’s present chastising of Israel and His punishing of the nations will issue in the manifestation of Christ to bring in the restoration.
In verse 16a Israel is likened to a deceitful bow. This symbolizes that they were rebellious toward God and were not faithful to fight the battle for God’s kingdom.