43.
The Lord in His mercy would have healed Israel, but when He would have mollified His anger and judgment against them, sin broke out in another area. Iniquity and wickedness were predominant in Ephraim and Samaria.They were a foolish, perverse people. Hos. 7:1 When they should have known the Lord, they were without a knowledge of Him. Senselessly, they were a people who forsook the way of the Lord and turned to their own ways. Their wisdom was like this generation, they were wise to do evil but had no comprehension of that which was good. Jer. 4:22 They were fraudulent and untrustworthy in their business dealings. They had made even the house of the Lord into a den of thieves and robbers. Jer. 7:11 In the days of the Lord Jesus the situation was no better. He rebuked the priests for the deplorable spiritual condition of the Temple. Mark 11:17.
They, Israel, had exhausted the patience of the Lord and were bringing on themselves sever punishment.
It appeared to be a case of our of sight out of mind with Israel. Having forsaken the Lord they did not remember that He was well aware of the wickedness of their sinful practices. Hos. 7:2 They had forgotten that their evil works were always before Him. There is nothing hidden from the eyes of the Lord. The day of visitation will come upon all who persist in their sinful paths. Jer. 14:10 The heart of every person will be exposed before the Lord and before all men. Num. 32:23 Their actions had become a trap and a snare. They were held fast by their own unrighteous works. Prov. 5:22 There is no possible way to hide our doings from the eyes of the Lord. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere observing good and evil. Prov. 15:3.
Their leadership, with hearts full of ungodly ways, rejoiced in the fact of the great wickedness of the people. Lying prophets were plentiful, the priests were in power because of their wealth, and the people, as well as the king loved to have it so. They were completely ignorant or totally ignored the fact that there will come a day of reckoning. The prophet then posed the question of the ages, what will you do in that day? Jer. 5:31 So great was the iniquity which the Lord saw that He caused the prophet to make a statement that they commit evil with both hands. The prince (may refer to the priest) asks for gifts and their judges sought bribes. Great men express their strong desire to do evil. Thus, they are all of one spirit and sinful nature. Mic.7:3 Not only will we experience a great move of the Spirit of the Lord in the end of the age, but there will also be a movement of evil, consummating in the most evil generation of all time. This is seen in the amalgamated religion predominant under the rule of the antichrist. As always, sin is attractive. The golden cup catches the eye and desire, but it is filled with abominations and the filthiness of fornication. Rev.17:4.