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.
9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
10 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?
11 I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
13 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.
14 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.
15 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.
16 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.
The Book of Hosea, Chapter 13, is an integral part of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is a chapter filled with prophetic messages, metaphors, and allegories, all of which are designed to castigate the Israelites for their apostasy and to warn them of the impending divine judgement. This chapter is a vivid portrayal of the spiritual infidelity of Israel and God's just response to their rebellion. The recurring themes in this chapter are Israel's sin, God's judgement, and the call for repentance.
The chapter begins with a reference to Ephraim, which is another name for Israel, signifying the northern kingdom of Israel. Ephraim, once exalted among his brethren, has incurred God's wrath by indulging in idolatry. The people of Ephraim started worshipping Baal, a Canaanite deity, and began making idols, thereby provoking God's anger. The first verse of this chapter, "When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died." (Hosea 13:1), encapsulates the tragic spiritual decline of Ephraim. The people's indulgence in idolatry is described as a form of spiritual death, marking their departure from God's favor.
The consequences of Ephraim's idolatry are vividly depicted in the subsequent verses. The people of Ephraim, by worshipping idols, have become like them, devoid of life and spiritual insight. The idols they have made are destined for destruction, which signifies the futility of idol worship. The imagery of morning clouds and early dew that disappear, chaff blown away by the wind, and smoke from a chimney (Hosea 13:3) are used to illustrate the transitory and ephemeral nature of idols and those who trust in them.
Despite the people's unfaithfulness, God reminds them of His unwavering loyalty and mercy. He asserts His uniqueness and sovereignty, "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." (Hosea 13:4). This verse serves as a stark reminder of God's unfailing love and patience towards His people, even in their rebellion.
However, God's mercy does not negate His justice. The people's continuous rebellion and refusal to repent have left God with no choice but to execute His judgement. The graphic description of the judgement to come is found in verses 7 and 8, where God likens Himself to a lion, a leopard, a bear robbed of her cubs, ready to tear open their chests and devour them. This metaphor signifies the severity of God's judgement upon unrepentant sinners.
Following the announcement of divine judgement, the chapter underscores the necessity of repentance. God, through Hosea, calls His people to repentance, to turn from their sinful ways and return to Him. The chapter concludes with a poignant appeal, "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help." (Hosea 13:9). This verse encapsulates the entire message of the chapter – Israel's self-destruction through sin and God's offer of salvation through repentance.
The theme of mortality is also prominently featured in this chapter. The people are reminded of their mortality and the inevitability of death. However, in the midst of this bleak reality, there is a glimmer of hope. God, in His mercy, promises to ransom them from the power of the grave and redeem them from death (Hosea 13:14). This promise is a foreshadowing of the resurrection and the life to come, offering hope and comfort to the faithful.
In conclusion, Chapter 13 of the Book of Hosea paints a vivid picture of the spiritual infidelity of Israel, God's righteous judgement, and His merciful call to repentance. The chapter serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin, the justice and mercy of God, and the transformative power of repentance. It is a call to forsake idolatry and to return to the one true God, who alone can save and redeem.
Share this page