cohesion as a political force, possibly because those who held these offices had so often acted in defiance of the LORD. Hosea did not think of monarchy as evil in itself. It was the abuse of the office which had to be corrected in this way. The next two items are of religious significance. Sacrifice played a significant role in ancient worship. It also is not here banned as inherently unlawful, but it is foretold that the circumstances of the people will be such that they would not have the opportunity