Hosea 4:1-10:15 It is time to seek the Lord

4:1-14

The outward sins that caused God to have a controversy with His people:  No faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God.  Cursing, lying, murder, stealing, adultery, bloodshed following bloodshed,

The inward sins that the outward sins were an outcome of: rejecting God's knowledge, ignoring God's law, deserting the Lord, turning to idols, being unfaithful to God.

The description of the Israelites is as apt for us today - we inwardly turn from God and that leads us to outwardly display our turning from Him.

4:15-19  A warning to the Southern kingdom of Judah not to get brought into Israel's sins. We become like those we spend time with.

Ch 5: The real obstacles that separate the people from God and God from the people:

A prostitute mindset - belonging to others and not to God.
God allows them to face this and will find He has withdrawn Himself from them.
God's wrath is coming, like a flood of water.
The people will eventually realise their guilt and will seek God's face, and in their misery will earnestly seek Him.

5:15-6:6 is a dialogue between God and the people.  Their repentance isn't real and therefore, they will be surprised by God's response.

Throughout 6:7-8:13, we are told about the abundance of sin, but the certainties of God.  The Israelites have been caught up in multiple sins that have led them to turn away from God, but He longs to redeem them.  Their alliances have been with idols and not with God.  The cause of their perilous position is their own making - they have turned from God and He has allowed them to.

9:1-8  Hosea is describing the changes that exile will bring.  It will lead to the eating of unclean food, the sacrifices they make will not please God, they will be overrun and time of punishment and reckoning will be coming.

9:9-17  Their sin will lead to their glory deserting them, they will be in a barren place and face real hardship, pain and suffering.

Ch 10  The deceit of the heart is spoken of - their many oaths and promises cause them problems, they turn to idols, their idols will be destroyed and they will see their ruin.

Hosea reminds them to sow seeds of righteousness.   Seek the Lord and He will come and shower righteousness on them.