2. They have rejected the good (8:1-9:9)

The fundamental perversion of Israelite religion is depicted in 8:1-6. They claim to know God, but they do not live in accord with his character: they choose rulers without considering God’s will, and they serve an idol in the name of God. Furthermore, their careful sacrifices are worthless because they are merely pleasing themselves (8:13).

All of Israel’s lush religiosity and self-serving celebration (9:1) will soon be gone, says Hosea. The fertility rituals carried out in the places of harvest (9:1-2) are not only corrupt, but they will be useless because what harvest there is will be carried off by their “protectors” (9:6; see also 8:7). The offerings they now make so much of will soon be impossible because they will soon be exiles in an unclean foreign land where there will be no way to sanctify offerings to the Lord (9:3-5).