Samaria was rich and prosperous, but the hearts of many of the people were false. This was obvious in two ways. There was great economic inequality and injustice and the poor were shamefully treated. Many of the people had forsaken the God of Israel and had turned to idols and idolatrous practices. In the eyes of Hosea, both were grounds for judgment and punishment. In fact, the Israel in the north was soon crushed by the Assyrians and ceased to exist. They paid for their collective sins in a big way. We should not judge our spiritual state by wealth, success, and power, but by how closely we follow the Lord's ways and how we treat others.

Jesus sent the twelve to proclaim the kingdom of God to Israel. They were not to go to non-Israelite cities at this point, for the news had to be given to the people of God first. Accompanied by healings and signs, the proclamation was supposed to rouse the hearts and minds of the people. They were to get their hearts right, putting away sin, selfishness, and spiritual sloth. The term 'kingdom of God' doesn't excite us much these days, for we are not sure what it is. We could say that it describes God coming to dwell in our midst, in our hearts and even in our struggles. We are not alone, and God will never abandon us. Now that is exciting!