12 My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner's wand informs them; For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray , And they have played the harlot , departing from their God . 13 They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains And burn incense on the hills , Under oak , poplar and terebinth , Because their shade is pleasant . Therefore e your daughters play the harlot And your brides commit adultery . 14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your brides when they commit adultery , For the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes ; So the people without understanding are ruined .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 4:12-14
Commentary on Hosea 4:12-19
(Read Hosea 4:12-19)
The people consulted images, and not the Divine word. This would lead to disorder and sin. Thus men prepare scourges for themselves, and vice is spread through a people. Let not Judah come near the idolatrous worship of Israel. For Israel was devoted to idols, and must now be let alone. When sinners cast off the easy yoke of Christ, they go on in sin till the Lord saith, Let them alone. Then they receive no more warnings, feel no more convictions: Satan takes full possession of them, and they ripen for destruction. It is a sad and sore judgment for any man to be let alone in sin. Those who are not disturbed in their sin, will be destroyed for their sin. May we be kept from this awful state; for the wrath of God, like a strong tempest, will soon hurry impenitent sinners into ruin.