The time preceding the captivity of the ten tribes of Israel was one of similar disobedience and of similar wickedness. God's law was counted as a thing of nought, and this opened the floodgates of iniquity upon Israel. "The Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land," Hosea declared, "because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood." Hosea 4:1, 2. 298

Tiden før de ti israelitiske stammers tilfangetagelse var præget af den samme ulydighed og ondskab. Man tillagde ikke Guds lov nogen betydning, og som følge heraf blev der åbnet for syndens sluser i Israel. "Herren går i rette med landets folk," sagde Hoseas, "thi ej er der troskab, ej godhed, ej kender man Gud i landet. Man sværger, lyver, myrder og sjæler, horer, gør indbrud, og blodskyld følger på blodskyld." Hos. 4,1-2.