Hosea used a series of metaphors and similes to awaken Israel to their sins. Adultery was compared to dough that was rising (7:3-12), the burning in their hearts for sin, as an oven.  Ephraim (v8) was called “a cake not turned,” because the opportunities for change, turning over, were past.  She was set in her ways.  When Israel looked to change, they looked in every way but upward (7:16).

The pillars of society -- government, law, finance and religion -- were corrupt (8:4-8), yet Israel would not change.  They had “forgotten their maker and built palaces,” (v 14).  Even as this is written, its contemporary application is inescapable. Our corruption and “palaces” will not escape God’s view of this nation.