SCRIPTURE: HOSEA 13
THE LORD’S ANGER AGAINST ISRAEL (vs. 1-16)
Ephraim was guilty of Baal worship and died. They made idols for themselves from their silver cleverly fashioned images by craftsmen. The people offered human sacrifice and kiss the calf-idols. Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.
The Lord was the one who brought them out of Egypt. He was their Savior. For God cared for them in the desert and fed them. But when they were satisfied, they became proud and forgot the Lord. So, the Lord will come upon them like a lion to devour them, like a leopard to lurk their path, like a bear to rob of her cubs, and tear them apart. God gave them a king but He took him away. They will suffer pain like a woman in childbirth with a child without wisdom. (vs. 4-13)
An east wind from the Lord will come, blowing in from the desert and dry up his well. The treasures of his storehouse will be plundered. They must bear their guilt because they have rebelled against God. They will fall by the sword, the little ones will be dashed to the ground and their pregnant women ripped open. (vs. 15-16)
THOUGHTS:
Ephraim was a great tribe in Israel but it had became like the clouds, the desert, the chaff and the smoke. God would come upon them like a lion, a leopard and a bear. God could have saved them from Assyria but they trusted their wealth, their kings and their foreign policy. So the “twin fruitful” Ephraim would become fruitless.
The abundant possession made Israel felt self-sufficient. It turned its back from God and forgot Him. If you are in good times now, do you still rely on God’s presence and help? Or do you forget the one who gave you the good fortune? Don’t be proud of your gifts. Remember the giver.