Hosea 7 uses the metaphor of a baker and baking to describe the people of Israel. Let us notice.

1. “They are all adulterers. Like an oven heated by a baker – he ceases stirring the fire after kneading the dough, until it is leavened” (Hosea 7:4).

Israel is compared to a baker. What is meant? Homer Hailey suggests, “The thought seems to be this: The wicked companions of the king plot his overthrow. ‘They are all adulterers,’ unfaithful to God and to the king. As a baker prepares the dough, waits for it to rise, then stirs the fire for the baking, so the plotters lay their plan and wait for the opportune time to carry it out” (Homer Hailey, A Commentary on The Minor Prophets, p. 158).

What is the history? Wayne Jackson comments, “The historical background is a twenty-year span (ca. 752-732 B.C.) when four of Israel’s kings were assassinated (2 Kings 15)” (Wayne Jackson, The Prophets, p. 377).

What application can we make? Let us ask, what have we prepared our hearts to do? What are our plans? Actions start in the heart (Proverbs 4:32; Mark 7:20-23).

2. “They prepare their hearts like an oven, while they lie in wait; Their baker (or anger, see NASB, ESV) sleeps all night; In the morning it burns like a flaming fire. They are all hot, like an over, and have devoured their judges; All their kings have fallen. None among them calls on Me” (Hosea 7:6-7).

Again, Israel is compared to a baker. What is meant? Wayne Jackson comments, “As a baker makes adequate preparation for the baking of his bread, so these knaves made ready their hearts so that at the appropriate time they might strike, overthrowing their rulers, while totally ignoring Almighty God” (Wayne Jackson, ibid).

What application can we make? Let us ask, are we dwelling on things that stir up wrong actions? Are we focused on things which stir up anger or lust? We need to get rid of such obsessive thoughts (Ephesians 4:26-27; Proverbs 10:12; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Leviticus 19:18).

3. “Ephraim has mixed himself among the people. Ephraim is a cake unturned” (Hosea 7:8).

Israel is compared to an improperly cooked cake. What is meant? It may mean that the cake was not good. Homer Hailey comments, “They were cooked by heathenism but uncooked or raw in their relation to God” (Homer Hailey, p. 159). Wayne Jackson comments, “Israel’s lack of trust in God caused them to seek alliance with neighboring powers that were steeped in idolatry. This significantly weakened their religious fabric” (Wayne Jackson, ibid).

What application can we make? Let us ask, where is our allegiance? Where is our trust? Some try to be in allegiance to both God and the world. It will not work (Matthew 6:24).