182
Prophets and Kings
they continued in iniquity, flattering themselves that when occasion
arose, they would attain to the political power they desired by allying
themselves with the heathen. “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and
Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian.” “Ephraim
also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to
Assyria.” “They do make a covenant with the Assyrians.”
Hosea 5:13
;
7:11
;
Hosea 12:1
.
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Through the man of God that had appeared before the altar at
Bethel, through Elijah and Elisha, through Amos and Hosea, the Lord
had repeatedly set before the ten tribes the evils of disobedience. But
notwithstanding reproof and entreaty, Israel had sunk lower and still
lower in apostasy. “Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer,” the
Lord declared; “My people are bent to backsliding from Me.”
Hosea
4:16
;
11:7
.
There were times when the judgments of Heaven fell very heav-
ily on the rebellious people. “I hewed them by the prophets,” God
declared; “I have slain them by the words of My mouth: and thy judg-
ments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not
sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. But
they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt
treacherously against Me.”
Hosea 6:5-7
.
“Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel,” was the message
that finally came to them: “Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy
God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they
sinned against Me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.... I
will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.”
Hosea
4:1, 6-9
.
The iniquity in Israel during the last half century before the As-
syrian captivity was like that of the days of Noah, and of every other
age when men have rejected God and have given themselves wholly
to evil-doing. The exaltation of nature above the God of nature, the
worship of the creature instead of the Creator, has always resulted in
the grossest of evils. Thus when the people of Israel, in their worship
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of Baal and Ashtoreth, paid supreme homage to the forces of nature,
they severed their connection with all that is uplifting and ennobling,
and fell an easy prey to temptation. With the defenses of the soul
broken down, the misguided worshipers had no barrier against sin and
yielded themselves to the evil passions of the human heart.