Hosea 7:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Their wickedness brings joy to rulers and their falsehoods delight princes. Those who aim to do righteousness and adhere to divine law should, as it is stated, seek favor from the Redeemer and find grace in Him who possesses unmatchable power. However, in their negligence concerning what truly sustains life and fosters prosperity, they failed to do so and disregarded God’s will. Instead, they sought the approval of their kings and authorities, eager to accommodate them at the expense of offending God, thereby gratifying the deceivers. It is further condemned that they followed Jeroboam and his associates, readily aligning with those who fashioned the idol of the golden calf, leading them unlawfully into a different form of worship.

The prophet reflects on how the evil doers celebrated the ruler. This refers to King Jeroboam, from whom the children of unrighteousness adopted idolatrous practices. They also honor the previous kings who have already faced swift divine judgment for their wrongdoing, along with the current rulers who continue to govern, suppressing truth with deceit, and are commended for their malice by their leaders and followers.

Through their wickedness, they delighted the king, and through their deception, they misled the princes. Their actions unfolded before the Lord. Their immoral behavior earned the favor of King Jeroboam, while their cunning ways satisfied the rulers among the people under his reign. Similarly, heretics, through their evil actions, have pleased the ruler of darkness—the devil—and through their misleading doctrines, they have secured the favor of the worldly authorities whose hollow wisdom God ultimately obliterates. The originator of heresy can be deemed the king of heretics, while the leaders among them, who falsely assume a priestly authority, represent the princes. Additionally, it is essential to recognize that the adverse forces and rulers of this present darkness take pleasure in our transgressions.

They prepared themselves for destruction through their wrongdoing and became a source of joy for their adversaries.