Daily Devotions
Hosea
"The wickedness of Samaria"
Text: Hosea 7:1
CAPITAL CITIES
There were two capital cities when Israel was divided into two kingdoms. The Northern Kingdom was called Israel and the Southern Kingdom was called Judah.
1. The Northern Capital
a) Shechem was the capital favoured by King Jeroboam.
Shechem was in the land of Ephraim (1 Kings 12:25).
b) Tirzah was the new capital of King Baasha who killed Nadab the son of Jeroboam.
It was North East of Shechem (1 Kings 15:33).
c) Samaria was the new capital of Omri who ruled from Tirzah for six years initially (1 Kings 16:24).
It was located North West of Shechem.
2. The Southern Capital
The capital of Judah was always Jerusalem for all the kings of Judah (1 Kings 11:13).
INIQUITY OF EPHRAIM
The eyes of the Lord were upon Israel (Psalm 11:4). He would have loved to forgive the nation.
“When I would have healed Israel,
Then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered,
And the wickedness of Samaria.
For they have committed fraud;
A thief comes in;
A band of robbers takes spoil outside.”
Hosea 7:1
1. “When I would have healed Israel”
a) Because of God’s mercy.
b) Because of His compassion.
2. But there was no repentance found!
3. A short list of things highlighted that had to be addressed before Divine healing could be given:
a) “The iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered”
i) There was much evil in the capital.
ii) Iniquity had not been dealt with.
b) “The wickedness of Samaria”
Samaria was the capital of the nation and much wickedness was found there.
c) “They have committed fraud”
The business practices of the people were fraudulent.