Introduction

Hoseah, chapter eight is a chapter in which israel is trying in all sorts of futile ways to secure itself in uncertain times. The chapter opens with the blowing of an alarm. A great and powerful eagle, not a vulture, as in some translations, is hovering over it. One like a vulture is over the house of the lord because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law. Israel has spurned the good. They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but i knew it. Not with their silver and gold. They made idol for their own destruction. I have spurned your calf o samaria. My anger