When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?
I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
Hosea 13 unveils a stark warning against spiritual complacency and the dangers of forsaking the Lord. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that while God's provision is abundant, our hearts are prone to wander, leading to devastating consequences. Through vivid imagery and poignant pronouncements, Hosea reveals the tragic trajectory of Ephraim's apostasy and the ultimate hope for redemption.
From Reverence to Ruin (Hosea 13:1-3)
"When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling" (Hosea 13:1). Initially, Ephraim commanded respect and influence. But this stature was tragically squandered through idolatry and rejection of the living God. Hosea emphasizes that sin has a corrosive effect, irrespective of one's strength, ability, or status. Moral decay and foolishness erode character, leaving individuals vulnerable and ultimately insignificant. They become "like the morning mist, like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor, like smoke from a window" (Hosea 13:3) – fleeting and easily dispersed. This imagery highlights the ephemeral nature of worldly power and prestige when divorced from a foundation of faith and obedience.
The Peril of Pride and Forgetfulness (Hosea 13:4-13)
God's unwavering faithfulness is contrasted with Israel's repeated infidelity. "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt" (Hosea 13:4). God rescued them from slavery and provided for their every need. However, their prosperity led to pride and forgetfulness. "When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me" (Hosea 13:6). This verse resonates deeply, exposing a common human tendency to take credit for blessings and to diminish God's role in our lives when we are comfortable.
Hosea warns against the dangers of self-reliance and the importance of cultivating a humble heart. Continually nurture a humble heart that acknowledges God's Word and power as the source of strength and sustenance. Neglecting this crucial discipline can lead to unforeseen consequences, even divine chastisement (Hosea 13:8).
The people's demand for a king (Hosea 13:10-11, referencing 1 Samuel 8) further illustrates their misplaced trust. Instead of delivering them, the king led them further into sin and foolishness. This underscores the futility of seeking solutions outside of God's will and reminds us that true leadership must be rooted in righteousness and obedience.
A Glimmer of Hope: Redemption from Death (Hosea 13:14-16)
Amidst the pronouncements of judgment, a ray of hope pierces through the darkness: "I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death" (Hosea 13:14). This verse is a powerful declaration of God's ultimate victory over death and despair. Salvation, Hosea proclaims, can only come from God's hand.
The Apostle Paul quotes this verse in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 to celebrate Christ's resurrection and the triumph over death. Through Jesus Christ, death loses its sting and the grave its victory. However, this promise of future redemption does not negate the immediate consequences of sin. Hosea makes it clear that compassion is temporarily withheld (Hosea 13:14), and judgment will be executed (Hosea 13:15-16). This nuanced perspective acknowledges both God's mercy and His justice.
When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?
I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
Hosea 13 unveils a stark warning against spiritual complacency and the dangers of forsaking the Lord. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that while God's provision is abundant, our hearts are prone to wander, leading to devastating consequences. Through vivid imagery and poignant pronouncements, Hosea reveals the tragic trajectory of Ephraim's apostasy and the ultimate hope for redemption.
From Reverence to Ruin (Hosea 13:1-3)
"When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling" (Hosea 13:1). Initially, Ephraim commanded respect and influence. But this stature was tragically squandered through idolatry and rejection of the living God. Hosea emphasizes that sin has a corrosive effect, irrespective of one's strength, ability, or status. Moral decay and foolishness erode character, leaving individuals vulnerable and ultimately insignificant. They become "like the morning mist, like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor, like smoke from a window" (Hosea 13:3) – fleeting and easily dispersed. This imagery highlights the ephemeral nature of worldly power and prestige when divorced from a foundation of faith and obedience.
The Peril of Pride and Forgetfulness (Hosea 13:4-13)
God's unwavering faithfulness is contrasted with Israel's repeated infidelity. "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt" (Hosea 13:4). God rescued them from slavery and provided for their every need. However, their prosperity led to pride and forgetfulness. "When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me" (Hosea 13:6). This verse resonates deeply, exposing a common human tendency to take credit for blessings and to diminish God's role in our lives when we are comfortable.
Hosea warns against the dangers of self-reliance and the importance of cultivating a humble heart. Continually nurture a humble heart that acknowledges God's Word and power as the source of strength and sustenance. Neglecting this crucial discipline can lead to unforeseen consequences, even divine chastisement (Hosea 13:8).
The people's demand for a king (Hosea 13:10-11, referencing 1 Samuel 8) further illustrates their misplaced trust. Instead of delivering them, the king led them further into sin and foolishness. This underscores the futility of seeking solutions outside of God's will and reminds us that true leadership must be rooted in righteousness and obedience.
A Glimmer of Hope: Redemption from Death (Hosea 13:14-16)
Amidst the pronouncements of judgment, a ray of hope pierces through the darkness: "I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death" (Hosea 13:14). This verse is a powerful declaration of God's ultimate victory over death and despair. Salvation, Hosea proclaims, can only come from God's hand.
The Apostle Paul quotes this verse in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 to celebrate Christ's resurrection and the triumph over death. Through Jesus Christ, death loses its sting and the grave its victory. However, this promise of future redemption does not negate the immediate consequences of sin. Hosea makes it clear that compassion is temporarily withheld (Hosea 13:14), and judgment will be executed (Hosea 13:15-16). This nuanced perspective acknowledges both God's mercy and His justice.