“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan,
who are on the mountain of Samaria,
who oppress the poor, who crush the needy,
who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’
The Lord GOD has sworn by his holiness
that, behold, the days are coming upon you,
when they shall take you away with hooks,
even the last of you with fishhooks.
And you shall go out through the breaches,
each one straight ahead;
and you shall be cast out into Harmon,”
declares the LORD.
“Come to Bethel, and transgress;
to Gilgal, and multiply transgression;
bring your sacrifices every morning,
your tithes every three days;
offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened,
and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them;
for so you love to do, O people of Israel!”
declares the Lord GOD.
Comment: Society ladies are targeted. ‘The cows of Bashan’ treat their husbands as their servants in their commitment to live it up with strong drink. Socially lesser woman are trodden on. History confirms that when Samaria was conquered the ‘ladies’ were led’ tied together with fish-hooks into slavery. False religion was castigated. They went intending to sin but then made publicly announced lavish but tainted (leavened) offerings. It is as if God is saying behind it all I see your commitment to doing your own thing!
Prayer: God be merciful to me, a sinner!
As I read it! 