Matthew Henry Commentary Hosea 7:1-7

"When I would heal Israel, then is the iniquity of Ephraim uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief entereth in, and the troop of robbers ravageth without. And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now have their own doings beset them about; they are before my face. They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. They are all adulterers; they are as an oven heated by the baker; he ceaseth to stir [the fire], from the kneading of the dough, until it be leavened. On the day of our king the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers. For they have made ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me." — Hosea 7:1-7 (ASV)

A practical disbelief in God's government was at the bottom of all Israel's wickedness; as if God could not see it or did not heed it. Their sins appeared on every side. Their hearts were inflamed by evil desires, like a heated oven. In the midst of their troubles as a nation, the people never thought of seeking help from God.

The actual wickedness of people's lives bears a very small proportion to what is in their hearts. But when lust is inwardly cherished, it will break forth into outward sin.

Those who tempt others to drunkenness can never be their real friends, and often intend their ruin. Thus people execute Divine vengeance on each other.

Those who continue to live without prayer, even when in trouble and distress, are not only heated with sin but also hardened in sin.