When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
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According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
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Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
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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.
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O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
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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?
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I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
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The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Hosea 13 Study & Commentary
Hosea 13 - The Death of the Nation: As Ephraim sinned in Baal, he died. God describes Himself as a lion, a leopard, and a bear waiting to devour the rebellious nation. He promises to ransom them from the power of the grave, yet judgment remains certain.
THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
1. Self-Destruction: "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help" (v. 9). The origin of ruin is internal.2. The Grave Conquered: "I will ransom them from the power of the grave... O death, I will be thy plagues" (v. 14). Quoted by Paul in 1 Cor 15 regarding the Resurrection.
3. The East Wind: The Assyrian invasion is seen as a "wind of the Lord" that dries up the springs of the nation.
PRACTICAL LESSONS
1. Acknowledgment of Ruin: We must recognize our self-destruction before we can appreciate God's help.2. Victory over Death: Even in the midst of national death, God provides a glimpse of the ultimate victory over the grave.
