We saw in chapter 4 Hosea pointed a finger at the religious leaders for being at fault for the Israelite Nation’s abandoning God for idols. In chapter 5, Hosea includes “all of Israel’s leaders; listen, all you men of the royal family: You are doomed.” (Verse 1).
Trying to place the time of this writing is a little difficult. Remember Jeroboam II reigned until around 746 BCE; he was the last of Jehu’s descendants to reign for any length of time. Jeroboam’s son only reigned for 6 months before being assassinated. After that, there was no hereditary king from about 745-722 BCE except one two-year span before Israel was captured or destroyed by the Assyrians. That is probably the reason he (Hosea) now only addressed religious and political leaders and the people in general.
But there is a surprising addition to his writing; it is the reference to Judah beginning in 5:10. The only king of Judah during Hosea’s life who worshipped pagan gods was Ahaz who reigned 735-715 BCE. Also beginning at this point, Hosea used Ephraim as a synonym for Israel.
Beginning with verse 15 of chapter 5, God shows he understands the thinking of sinners. “For as soon as trouble comes, they will search for Me and say: ‘Come, let us return to the Lord; it is He who has torn us – He will heal us. He has wounded – He will bind us up. In just a couple of days, or three at the most, He will set us on our feet again to live in His kindness’.”
Hosea summed up the sins of Israel: “Her citizens are gangs of robbers, lying in ambush for their victims; packs of priests murder along the road to Shechem and practice every kind of sin. . .O Judah, for you also there is a plentiful harvest of punishment waiting – and I wanted so much to bless you! (6:9-11).