Hosea 8 Commentary

Hosea 8 records the LORD's indictment on the nation Israel because she has rejected what is ethically good, encouraged political turbulence, and engaged in idolatrous calf worship. Worse yet, Israel has intermingled with pagan nations while offering hypocritical sacrifices to the LORD. Consequently, the LORD pronounces judgment on Israel, consistent with the terms of Israel's covenant/contract with the LORD. The nation will be ravaged and carried away into exile to Assyria. There she will experience slavery like that which she experienced in Egypt. The structure of the passage is as follows:

1. The LORD announces judgment on Israel because she has rejected Him and His covenantal laws. Israel will thus reap what she sows, and incur the consequences for her behavior, as spelled out in their covenant agreement with God. (vv. 1–7).
2. The LORD states that Israel is swallowed up because she has intermingled with foreign nations. She is not fulfilling her role as a priestly nation, so has become like a worthless vessel, that is no longer useful for its intended purpose (vv. 8–10).
3. The LORD pronounces judgment on Israel because she has offered sacrificial rituals to Him while ignoring His covenantal laws. The nation will be disciplined for having forsaken her covenant agreement, per the terms of the agreement. (vv. 11–14).