The Priests. God has a complaint against his people, but very directly against the leaders, the priests. My
contention: here we hear the voice of the Lord himself. The main culprit in Israel’s fall is the priest! The spiritual leader! The very man who should act against all those sinful practices! Please note that the priests of the northern kingdom are addressed here, thus they are not associated with the temple in Jerusalem. But it is the people who bear responsibility (see also Hosea 4:6 where God calls himself “your God” when speaking to the priests!). Perhaps those priests served in the sanctuary at Dan or at Bethel. In addressing this one priest, the whole priesthood is meant. The priests were not only to sacrifice and bless but also to teach the people. And they are the very ones who failed! They did not do what they had to do, but engaged in completely different matters (see Hosea 4:6–11).
4 Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest.