What does it mean that Israel will dwell without sacrifice or pillar?

Later in the book of Hosea it becomes apparent that Israel's cultic system, temple worship, and priesthood, was corrupted (Hosea 4:13–14; Hosea 6:6). In fact, much of Hosea 4:1–19 takes up this criticism, chastising Israel’s religious leaders for failing to teach God’s people the truth, which would have issued in love and obedience. Thus the hypocrisy of the sacrificial system must be destroyed so that Israel can no longer use lavish religion as a cover for moral bankruptcy.¹

Interestingly, sacrifice and pillar combines a God-given aspect of Israel’s cultic life with a pagan one. Though the sacrifices in Israel were a distortion of proper worship, carried out at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:28–33), they were nevertheless instructed by God. But the pillar, also sometimes translated as the memorial stone, was imported from pagan religion.² It seems that Israel’s cultic life and worship was so compromised that instead of tearing down the idols, God must sweep all of it aside. So, as Stuart, writes: Israel, in its syncretism, had mixed the holy with the forbidden—had adulterated its religion. So, orthodox and heterodox features alike would now be taken away.³