Assyrian Captivity
183
Against the marked oppression, the flagrant injustice, the unwonted
luxury and extravagance, the shameless feasting and drunkenness, the
gross licentiousness and debauchery, of their age, the prophets lifted
their voices; but in vain were their protests, in vain their denunciation
of sin. “Him that rebuketh in the gate,” declared Amos, “they hate,
... and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.” “They afflict the just,
they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their
right.”
Amos 5:10, 12
.
Such were some of the results that had followed the setting up
of two calves of gold by Jeroboam. The first departure from estab-
lished forms of worship had led to the introduction of grosser forms of
idolatry, until finally nearly all the inhabitants of the land had given
themselves over to the alluring practices of nature worship. Forgetting
their Maker, Israel “deeply corrupted themselves.”
Hosea 9:9
.
The prophets continued to protest against these evils and to plead
for rightdoing. “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy,”
Hosea urged; “break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the
Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.” “Turn thou to
thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.”
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“O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine
iniquity: ... say unto Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us
graciously.”
Hosea 10:12
;
12:6
;
Hosea 14:1, 2
.
The transgressors were given many opportunities to repent. In their
hour of deepest apostasy and greatest need, God’s message to them
was one of forgiveness and hope. “O Israel,” He declared, “thou hast
destroyed thyself; but in Me is thine help. I will be thy King: where is
any other that may save thee?”
Hosea 13:9, 10
.
“Come, and let us return unto the Lord,” the prophet entreated; “for
He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind
us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise
us up, and we shall live in His sight. Then shall we know, if we follow
on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and
He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto
the earth.”
Hosea 6:1-3
.
To those who had lost sight of the plan of the ages for the deliv-
erance of sinners ensnared by the power of Satan, the Lord offered
restoration and peace. “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them
freely,” He declared: “for Mine anger is turned away from him. I will