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Hosea 13:1-8

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

1. When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. 6. According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. 7. Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe [them]: 8. 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.

Hosea 13:1-8 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Hosea 13:1

Theological / Devotional

Trembling. Verses 1-8 of this chapter show why Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel) has “destroyed” himself (v. 9). The particulars of the nation’s sins are given, with the punishment incurred as a result of these transgressions.

Offended. This evidently refers to the worship of Baal (for which undoubtedly the calf worship had prepared the way), which had been introduced into Israel by Ahab at the instigation of Queen Jezebel (see 1 Kings 16:29-33). Through the efforts of Elijah (1 Kings 18) and King Jehu (2 Kings 9; 10) this evil received a setback, but it was not eradicated, and frequently broke out again.

He died. Ephraim’s idolatry resulted in national degradation and political death. He lost his high and exalted position, and his honor was laid in the dust. He became spiritually dead, ready for the burial soon to come (see Eph. 2:1). Deserting God and dallying with sin always brings one sure result, death (see Eze. 33:10, 11; Rom. 6:23). In contrasting Ephraim’s prosperity and his destruction, the prophet shows that Ephraim owed his prosperity to the undeserved mercy of God, who blessed him for Joseph’s sake (see Gen. 49:22); his destruction he owed to his own sin.

By SdaBc