Had Israel heeded the messages of the prophets, they would have been spared the humiliation that followed. It was because they had persisted in turning aside from His law that God was compelled to let them go into captivity. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge," was His message to them through Hosea. "Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee: . . . seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God." Hosea 4:6.

Hvis Israel havde rettet sig efter profeternes budskab, var de blevet skånet for at blive ydmyget. Men Gud var tvunget til at sende dem i fangenskab, fordi de blev ved at overtræde hans lov. Herren sendte dem dette budskab gennem Hoseas: "Da du har vraget kundskab, vrager jeg dig. ......; du glemte din Guds åbenbaring." Hos. 4,6.