This chapter describes how Israel’s sinfulness is leading to the coming destruction of the nation. In the first section (8:1–7), the prophet Hosea indicates that God will bring a devastating war on Israel because they have worshiped a golden calf and because they have been politically unfaithful in their covenant relationship with God. The political judgment in 8:1 may refer to the attack of their enemy Assyria, which brought an end to the Syro-Ephraimite War. The stipulations within God’s covenant describe how Israel, God’s covenant partner, is to relate to foreign nations in the political sphere, how people are to treat one another within just social relationships, and what people are to do to maintain their relationship with God. Although some have said that they acknowledge God and hi…