The Pulpit Commentary — Hosea — Section 111

III. O1111Bs10Ns sooN MAKE WAY FOB COllDlISBIONS. When the duties of truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God were omitted, the grossest sins succeeded and took their place. But we must notice the expression, " in the land ; " this appears to mean more tha.n the general prevalence of such through all this country ; it seems to hint at Israel's ingratitude. God had given them that good land, where God should have had grat.efnl worshippers and a holy people. Kimchi makes the following judicious com- ment on this subject: "I have a controversy with them (the inhabitants of the land of Israel), for I ga,e them the land conditionally that they should exercise justice and judgment; and J.erein I made a coven.ant with them, that my eyes should be upon it from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year. But since they acted in a way contrary to tb.i.&--perjuring, stealing, and committing adultery-I also will a.et towards them in a way contrary to what I promised, and hide my face from them; and the land sha.11 mourn, and all the dwellers in it shall languish." The sins com- mitted by Israel at this period evidence an almost disorganized state of society. The most important duties were omitted and the most enormous sins committed; nor was this strange, when there was no knowledge of God in the land; and yet this very circumstance was the great aggravation both of their omissions and commissions. It was the privilege of the highly favoured inhabitants of that land to know God; as we read," In Judah is God known: his Name is great in Israel. In Salem also is his tabernacle, and hie dwelling-place in Zion." But while both tables of the Law were transgressed, and fearfully transgressed, the violations of the sixth commandment were ~on,etbing shocking. This black feature in Israel's iniquity is made prominent by the prophet, and specially noticed by the Hebrew expositors. Rashi says, " '!'hey multiply the shedding of blooda until the blood of one slain man touches the blood of his neigh- bour ; " and Kim.chi's comment is, " The bloods of the slain touch one another from nLuudance.'' Though we may not be able to fix with certainty the period referred to, it may with considerable probability be conjectured that about this time the numerous and dreadfol regicides occurred. 8hallum slaying Zechariah; Meno.hem slaying Sha!• orr. IV. 1-19.] THE BOOK OF HOSEA. 109