Hosea 13
Judgment coming because of false gods verse 1- 3
When Ephraim spoke 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 passes away
as the chaff that is driven
with the whirlwind out of the floor
as the smoke out of the chimney
Israel forgot God was their protector and provider verse 4- 8
YET I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt
and you shall know no god but ME
FOR there is no savior beside ME
I did know you 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 they have 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
Israel trusted in political leaders verse 9- 11
O Israel – you have destroyed yourself
BUT in ME is your help
I will be your king – where is any other
that may save you in all your cities?
and your judges of whom you says
Give me a king and princes?
I gave you a king in MINE anger
and took him away in MY wrath
Pain is coming to Israel verse 12- 13
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up
his sin is hid
The sorrows of a traveling woman shall come upon him
he is an unwise son
FOR he should not stray long
in the place of the breaking forth of children
God asks rhetorical questions verse 14- 16
I will ransom them from the power of the grave
I will redeem them from death – O death
I will be your plagues
O grave – I will be your 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 has rebelled against her God
they shall fall by the sword
their infants shall be dashed in pieces
their women with child shall be ripped up
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 4 Yet I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt, and you shall know no god but ME: for there is no Savior beside ME. (3467 “Savior” [yasha‘] means deliverer, helper, person who delivers others from pain, suffering, hardship or death, save from moral troubles, to set free or to give victory to.)
DEVOTION: The children of Israel were taught about the exodus from Egypt. They were told that it happened because of the LORD sending signs and wonders in Egypt. The people of Egypt wanted them gone because of the plagues the LORD sent.
HE expected them to realize that HE was the only TRUE God. The problem was that they liked some of the practices of the heathen nations when they worshiped their false god. They thought they could do both. That was not acceptable to the LORD. HE wanted them to realize that HE was the ONLY God and that HE was the only one who could DELIVER them from all their troubles.
We need to realize these facts as well. There is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. HE is the only Savior of the world. There are still false gods being worshiped in many lands. Some of them are not made in images. Some of them are not made with stone. Some of them are the gods we make up in our hearts.
CHALLENGE: Examine your heart to see if there are any other gods there.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. (5828 “help” [‘ezer] means succor, assistant, or acts of supplying what is needed to another.)
DEVOTION: The children of Israel were bent on ruining themselves. They were a rebellious people. They were worshipers of idols. They made their living making idols. They told the people to “kiss the calves.”
Therefore the LORD had to judge them. He was going to come as a whirlwind and drive them as chaff. HE was going to be as a leopard, lion and bear. They had destroyed themselves by their worship of idols. HE was the ONE who delivered them from Egypt. HE was their only Savior. HE was their only suppler of all they needed. But they had forgotten HIM. They had been supplied with blessings from the LORD but didn’t honor HIM as their provider.
Instead they made images to worship with the supplies the LORD had given them. They were going in the wrong direction and didn’t care. The LORD told them that HE was the only one who could assist them during this time period but they didn’t want HIS assistance.
THEREFORE, HE judged them with the nations they thought they could trust in. These nations came in and tortured them. They tortured their men, women and children. They had made their choice. They were rebellious!!
What choices are we making in regard to allowing the LORD to help us in our times of trials? Are we going to allow HIM to assist us? Are we willing to trust HIM to help us, even though, we can’t see HIM physically? It is a hard choice to make.
It is our prayer that we made the right decisions in our times of trouble. The chastening of the LORD is to bring us closer to HIM. Our sin has causes us to walk away from HIM. HE wants to ransom and redeem HIS people. There must be repentance of sin for this to happen. HE wants us back. HE wanted the children of Israel to repent and serve HIM. They made the wrong choice. Remember each day we made a choice to follow or disobey the LORD!!
CHALLENGE: Evaluate your actions of the last few weeks. Do we think we need the help of the LORD in our life? Can HE tell we are thinking those thoughts? Are we acting on those thoughts?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 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. (5162 “repentance” [nacham] means comfort, compassion, regret, pity, or sorrow.)
DEVOTION: The children of Israel had reached a point of no return. The LORD is asking questions that have a negative response. HE is not going to ransom them from the grave. HE is not going to redeem them from death. HE is not going to save them because they don’t want HIM to save them.
HE has offered them a solution to their present situation but they don’t want HIS solution. They thought they could come up with a better solution to their problem. They were looking other places for help. None of their solutions were going to work.
They were headed for captivity because they didn’t want to serve the LORD. They liked their foreign gods. They thought God should just continue to put up with their partial worship.
We have to face the facts that we are just like the children of Israel in our attitude toward the LORD. We look other places until the only one left is the LORD. Our prayer life shows how much we trust in the LORD. Our time in the Bible shows how much we want to learn about the LORD. Our service shows how important the LORD is to us. Finally, our checkbook really shows if we love HIM.
God expects a lot from us but HE is willing to bless us for our obedience. HE promises a hope in the future that nothing and no one can match. We are impatient. WE want everything now!
CHALLENGE: Does God have a reason to ransom, redeem and change HIS mind toward us because of our present actions?
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: 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. (6500 “fruitful” [para’] means to bear fruit, to flourish, to grow vigorously, or thrive.)
DEVOTION: What would you think if everything you own was carried away? You would end up with nothing except what you were wearing. Only the clothes on your back would be left.
Too many people are in love with their possessions. All of us have something that we call our favorite. We might have a favorite collection of coins or baseball card or dolls for some.
People can fall in love with their home or car or their vacation times or their sport’s team. Some even love to just look at their money. Some even worship their families. Possessions can keep you from serving the LORD. There was a bumper sticker that stated: He who dies with the most toys WINS!
The children of Israel seemed to love their treasure of pleasant vessels. If you had land that produced food and clothes you were rich in their culture. God was going to take it all away through foreign nations coming into the land and conquering them. HE was also give them a famine to take away their food and water.
Even with all that the LORD allowed in their life they didn’t repent and come back to HIM. Hard times seemed to drive them away from the LORD rather than closer to HIM.
What is happening in our life? Are we going through good times or hard times? What is that doing to our relationship to the LORD? Do we love HIM more than our possessions? The answer can only be given if they are taken away. Israel found out that it could happen.
Do you think that the LORD could send judgment on America because of their desire for possessions rather than HIM? Does it seem like we are more interested in taking the God of the Bible out of our schools and national courts? Is HE going to have to judge us for our actions?
CHALLENGE: Where are we headed? Are we going the way of the children of Israel in our relationship with God?
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 4, 15
LORD your God verse 4
Savior verse 4
God knows Israel verse 5
Judgment of God verse 7, 8, 15, 16
King verse 10
Anger of the LORD verse 11
Wind of the LORD verse 15
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural name) verse 4, 16
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Egypt verse 4
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Exalted himself verse 1
Offended in Baal verse 1
Sin verse 2, 12
Made molten images verse 2
Idols verse 2
According to their own understanding verse 2
Golden calves verse 2
No god verse 4
No savior verse 4
Heart was exalted verse 6
Forgotten God verse 6
Destroy self verse 9
Iniquity verse 12
Unwise son verse 13
Rebelled verse 16
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Savior verse 4
Help verse 9
Save verse 10
Ransom verse 14
Redeem verse 14
Repentance verse 14
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Ephraim verse 1, 12
Israel verse 1, 9
Samaria verse 16
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
Verse 4 obviously abbreviates the first of the Ten Commandments, but a significant change is from “You shall have no other gods” (Exod 20:3) to “You shall know no other gods.” One should not take this as evidence for an early, alternative recension of the Decalogue. Rather, this is a deliberate modification by Hosea meant to focus attention on the significance of the word “know.” All readers should be aware that “know” in Hebrew can describe the sexual experience. It is certainly not the case that one should facilely read this nuance into any text where “know” is used, but in this case, such a reading, as at least a pointer to Hosea’s meaning, is justified. Here, for the last time, the book of Hosea returns to the metaphor of Israel the adulterous wife. She should “know” no other gods, but she has gone after many gods and has turned away from her one true husband. The line, “And I knew you in the wilderness,” in v. 5a, further establishes that “know” in this context refers to the marriage relationship. The way that God “knows” Israel in the wilderness is as husband to wife, as Hos 2:14 (Hb. 2:16) establishes.
This allusion to the husband and wife analogy allows Hosea to develop a final portrait of the denouement of the fertility cult. Metaphorically, Israel’s adultery produced a child to whom she cannot properly give birth (v. 13, see comments); on a much more gruesome and literal level, the pregnant mothers in Israel will be ripped open by Assyrian soldiers (v. 16). Mother Israel had sought to obtain children through gods other than Yahweh, and the results were catastrophic. (Garrett, D. A. (1997). Hosea, Joel (Vol. 19A, p. 257). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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4 This verse begins with the same words as 12:9 (q.v.). The last two lines of this verse are probably best translated as in NIV, as an admonition to people of Hosea’s day to acknowledge God alone as their God and Savior. The admonition tallies with the tenor of the book. Another possible translation is “You acknowledged no God but me, no Savior except me.” This takes the thought as a historical comment. Such is not easily related, however, to the rebellion and sin Israel displayed during the wilderness travel. (Wood, L. J. (1986). Hosea. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, p. 220). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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13:4–9. Once more the Lord reminded Israel of His gracious deeds at the beginning of their history (cf. 12:9a, 10, 12–13). He led them from Egypt (cf. 11:1; 12:9, 13), cared for (lit., “knew”) them in the wilderness (13:5) and allowed them to feed in the Promised Land (v. 6). When I fed them is literally, “when they pastured.” It describes sheep or cattle grazing peacefully. In return for such blessings they should have acknowledged the Lord as their God and Savior (v. 4). Instead they became proud and forgot Him (v. 6; cf. comments on 2:13). Like a vicious and powerful wild beast (lion … leopard, or bear) the Lord would attack His people (still viewed here as a helpless flock or herd, 13:7–8; cf. 5:14). Ironically the Helper of Israel would become her Destroyer because she was against Him (13:9). (Chisholm, R. B., Jr. (1985). Hosea. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1405). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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One more sin that Hosea condemned was the nation’s ingratitude (Hosea 13:4–6). It was the same old story: the Jews were glad for what God had done for their forefathers—the Exodus, God’s provision and guidance in the wilderness, the abundant wealth in the Promised Land—but they didn’t really show Him sincere appreciation. In their trials, they turned to God for help, but in their prosperity, they became proud and turned away from God to idols. Moses had warned them about this sin, but they committed it just the same (Deut. 8:10–20).
The name “Ephraim” means “fruitful,” and this was a very fruitful tribe. Through Jacob, God had promised abundant blessings to Joseph and his sons (Gen. 48; 49:22–26), and that promise was fulfilled. It’s too bad the people didn’t use what God gave them for God’s glory. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be amazed (pp. 43–44). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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13:4–6 Having entered into a marriage covenant with the Lord, Israel was to remain faithful to Him alone (cf. Ex 20:2, 3); yet she forgot Him. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ho 13:4–6). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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And it is generally found that, the first step taken away from God, each succeeding one becomes easier and easier. Twinges of conscience are less frequent; the strivings of the grieved Holy Spirit attract less and less attention as the heart becomes hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. So was it with Ephraim. “And now they sin more and more,” says the prophet, as he proceeds to picture the gross idolatry which everywhere pervaded the land, prevailing among all classes of people (ver. 2). Consequently they are to be carried away in judgment. “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” (ver. 3). In this way the Lord was about to “purge His floor.”
But, as so frequently declared, He did not purpose to make a full end of them, the people of His choice. On the contrary, He remained the only true God, the Lord who had been their God from the land of Egypt. The day would come when they should own Him alone, and know no God besides Him; for He only was the Saviour of Israel. In the wilderness—that dry and thirsty land—He had sustained them, till their heart was exalted: and when they were filled with all good things they had forgotten Him, therefore He who had given them all these mercies would be to them as a leopard by the way, and as a bear bereaved of her whelps, who would rend the caul of their heart, and tear them like a lion. The wild beast was appointed to devour them (vers. 4–8). (Ironside, H. A. (1909). Notes on the Minor Prophets. (pp. 95–96). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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Ver. 4. Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, &c] Which brought thee out from thence, as the Turgum; and ever since, from that time to this, had shewn a regard unto them, as the Lord their God, both in the wilderness, as after mentioned, and in the land of Canaan, where they had been continued, and followed with instances of goodness to that day, and yet had sinned in so gross a manner; which argued great ingratitude in them, and forgetfulness of the Lord, and his mercies: and thou shalt know no God but me; they ought to have known, acknowledged, and worshipped no other god, as was enjoined them in the law: or, thou knowest not; they did not know any other, which they in their own consciences were obliged to confess, if appealed to; however, they should know no other; by sad experience they would find that there was no other that could be of any service to them; their images and idols being unable to help them: for there is no saviour besides me; that could save them out of their troubles, and deliver them out of their distresses; no other that is, or can be, the author, either of temporal or of spiritual and eternal salvation. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, p. 446). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
Nehemiah 8
The people gather at the square to hear Ezra, who reads the Law publicly.
INSIGHT
No one appreciates a glass of water like a man who is truly thirsty. It takes deprivation to appreciate the significance of our blessings. That is why the Christian life is not always easy—with blessings flowing unabated. We get dull and stale to it—just as we do when we have too much food and too little exercise. We are indeed blessed to have the Word of God in such abundance. The returning Jews have never heard the Word, and they are truly thirsty. They stand — from dawn till dusk — and drink it in. To appreciate the Word in your life, imagine not having it at all. (Quiet Walk)
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THE KINGDOM OF GOD, PART 2
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. Isaiah 11:6
The kingdom of God will come with great external pomp and glory, and Christ will come to reign, to judge, and to set up His everlasting kingdom.
Let me give you Christ’s own words: “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:27-28). That is it. The Son of Man will come and sit in the throne of His glory. This is “the regeneration,” He says, and this is the great message about the visible form of the kingdom that is to come. It means that…the Son of God will return again into this world. He will set up the judgment throne, and He will judge the whole world in righteousness.
Nature is now “red in tooth and claw,” but it will not be so then: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). This is “the generation,” and it is coming….There will be a realm of glory, and He will sit upon His throne in that glory.
A Thought to Ponder: There will be a realm of glory, and He will sit upon His throne in that glory. (From The Kingdom of God, pp. 60-61, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Throne of Grace
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
The Lord Jesus Christ is able to help in every time of need for two reasons. First, as the Creator, He is fully able to do anything. Secondly, He has solved, once and for all, the dilemma of the sin that had separated us from God’s holiness, by paying the price Himself for our salvation.
To do that, He had to become man so that He could first overcome temptations such as those to which we succumb. He could not pay the price for man’s sin if He were not a man, nor could He pay it if He were a sinner. He must be a man, but a sinless man—a criterion no other man could satisfy.
Therefore, He was tempted in all points as we are. This does not mean, however, that He felt a real inward temptation to sin. He was “tested” under the most extreme circumstances to which humans could be subjected, and He always passed the test. He could never have failed, because He is also God, but now all men, and angels, and devils know that He cannot fail.
Thus, He fully understands every one of our needs, and He is indeed able and willing to help. As we come boldly to receive His amazing grace, we must first “obtain mercy” (v. 16), confessing and receiving forgiveness for our sins (1 John 1:9). Then, we are ready to boldly request grace to help in every other need. Our faithful High Priest has been there before us. He knows (not just “knows about”) our problems, and is always there to help, waiting for us to come. Since “he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted,” and can “save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” (Hebrews 2:18; 7:25). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Whether it’s the pastoral staff, a church board, or just the family at home, the relationship of commitment and accountability helps us follow God’s blueprint and build a character that pleases HIM.
The nature of Christian ministry is such that it presents us with daily opportunities that can become either tests to build us up or temptations to tear us down. (p. 22)
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Life is built on character, and character is built on the decisions we make. The daily decisions of life, small and great, cement each stone into the cathedral of character. (p. 23)
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The erosion of character usually begins with neglect: we stop reading the Word, or worshiping with God’s people, or taking time to meditate and pray. We stop giving and start asking, “What will I get out of it?” We stop hungering for holiness and exercising spiritual discipline and discernment. We stop making those sacrifices that show our special love for Christ and his people. We do our job mechanically because our heart isn’t in it. In time, we find ourselves “making arrangements to sin,” convinced that what nobody knows, we can get away with. (p. 24)
(10 Power Principles for Christian Service by Warren W. &David W. Wiersbe)
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