42.
The Lord required that Israel be obedient to Him and to the Law which He had given them. When all is considered they had an ideal situation. All that was necessary would be supplied them. Rain in it’s season was assured. Their crops would continue from year to year, without fail. They would have been the strongest nation among all nations, for the Lord was their strength. They were to be the head and not the tail. Deut. 28:13 The Lord had made a sure covenant with them. Foolishly, stupidly they broke the covenant , and transgressed against the Lord. Like men, (some versions say Adam), their dealings with the Lord were deceitful and unfaithful. Hos. 6:7.
The city of Gilead is singled out as a particularly city of gross wickedness. A place contaminated by the shedding of blood. Gilead means, a heap of witness. It was here that Jacob and Laban gathered and made a heap of stones as a witness of the peace pact which they had made. Gen. 31:46-49 It was a city which had been chosen to be one of the cities of refuge. Josh. 21:38 Of all cities it should have been one of the most peaceful. However, in the sight of the Lord the city was anything but peaceful. Their life style was completely contrary to the life that the Lord had called them to enjoy. All because they worshipped false gods. Hos. 6:8.
The priesthood had become vile and wicked. They are declared to be robbers and murders. They formed gangs and were the mafia of that day. The roads were unsafe for those who were traveling from city to city. Hos. 6:9 They murdered by consent. In other words, it was as if they were given religious licenses by the priest to commit murder. Some translations have inserted Shechem (shoulder) here instead of consent. Shechem was also a city of refuge. Josh. 20:7 These men who represented the people of Israel before the Lord by bearing the names of the twelve tribes on their shoulders. Ex. 28:11-12 They should have been examples of righteousness bearing a people before the Lord, on their shoulders, and making intercession and atonement for them. An excellent description of the character of the priests of that day may be found in the wise words and instruction of Solomon. Prov. 1:11-18 The lewdness of the priest and people was their extreme devotion to the idols of the heathen. The whole nation, from priest to beggar were committed to sinful practices. Hos. 4:9.
The Lord saw the wicked actions of priest and people and considered it to be a horrible thing. Terrible, because it was something which He greatly despised. Fearful, for there was an impending judgment to be brought upon the people, the nation, which was involved in these vile acts of spiritual adultery. Hos. 6:10 Because Judah had followed their example, they also would reap a harvest of punishment. Hos. 6:11.