Hosea 13

Hosea 13:1

13:1 Before Ephraim’s idolatrous career, he exalted himself in Israel when he spoke, but when he turned to Baal worship, he died. 13:2, 3 Now the people plunge deeper and deeper into idolatry, telling men to kiss the calves. For this they will be as transient as the morning cloud or the early dew. They will be blown away like chaff or smoke from a chimney. 13:4-8 It was the LORD who saved them from Egypt and provided for them in the wilderness. But they forgot Him and turned to idols. Now God will turn on them like a . . . wild beast. 13:9-13 When the Lord does this, who will then save them? Ephraim’s sin was bound up and kept for the day of judgment. The pains of childbirth would come upon him, but he did not present himself where children are born, that is, at the mouth of the womb for birth. This means that Ephraim did not repent in spite of God’s judgments. 13:14 The RSV translates the first part of this verse as questions: “Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death?” The implied answer is “No.” Instead, He will call to Death for its plagues, and to the Grave (Sheol) for its destruction, because pity is hidden from His eyes. This verse, however, is quoted in a different sense in 1Co_15:55.) 13:15, 16 The dreadful destruction of Israel and Samaria by the cruel Assyrians (“an east wind”) is then predicted.