“When I fed them,
They were satisfied.
They were satisfied,
So that
Their heart was proud.
Therefore,
They forgot me.
So,
I will become
Like a lion to them.
Like a leopard,
I will lurk
Beside the way.
I will fall upon them
Like a bear
Robbed of her cubs.
I will tear open
The covering
Of their heart.
I will devour them
Like a lion.
Just like a wild animal
Would mangle them.”
Yahweh, via Hosea, warned the Israelites that he had fed them. Once they were satisfied with food, they had become proud. They forgot all about Yahweh. Thus, he was going to become like a lion or leopard lurking along their paths. He would attack them, like a bear who had been robbed of cubs. He was going to tear open the covering around their hearts. He would devour them like a wild animal would mangle its prey. They had better watch out.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 