CHAPTER 13

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.

"Trembling" reflects the honor and respect of God. When people honor and respect God, they are "exalted" in His presence. But when people begin to trust in idols, they DIE - are SEPARATED from God.

Isaiah also spoke of this: "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.." (Isaiah 59:2)

Once the body has died (vs 2) and is placed in the grave, it becomes even MORE corrupt! Once a person refuses God and worships idols instead, he becomes even more corrupt!

Without trust in God, men are but a "morning cloud" or "dew." They pass quickly through physical life and are eternally separated from God.

God is. And God is the ONLY "saviour." It was God Who saved Israel out of the Egyptian slavery. And it is God Who saves men out of slavery to sin.

Through Hosea, God is reminding Israel of their history. They were saved from bondage in Egypt because they called upon God to forgive and save them (Exodus 2:23-25).

Through Hosea, we are reminded today that our only salvation comes through repentance and surrender to the One and Only Savior - Jesus Christ.

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.

God saved them out of the "wilderness" (Vs 5). He took them from Egypt and brought them to the "Promised Land."

When they were established in the land, God blessed them and they were "filled."

But man, o creature of pride, forgets God when things are good. Generation after generation learns to trust in self more than God, and soon God is FORGOTTEN! In all the history of mankind, no nation has ever learned how to handle prosperity which comes from the blessings of God. No nation has ever continually handed down the faith from generation to generation.

Yes, we are sinners all! And, OH! How we NEED GOD! When will man ever learn to be faithful in continually handing down His love and faith to each generation?

In NOT handing down the faith, we "destroy" ourselves (Verse 9). And God brings judgment of discipline upon unbelieving children (see vs 8).

OH AMERICA! Is THIS what you want for your children and grandchildren? Be FAITHFUL Christians! Be SURE that your children know that God is our ONLY "help!" (see vs 9)

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.

God would be our "King." And where shall we find such a just and honorable One as He? Why do we trust in rulers and leaders alone? We should surrender out rulers and leaders to God in prayer!

God was leading Israel as a united nation just fine, then the people decided they wanted to be like other nations and have a king. God gave them a king, then sin ensued, and God had to take away their king.

Friends, the salvation of nations is not in its leaders! God is our HELP!

Upon the nation of Israel, God would bring pain as great as a woman in child delivery. And history records that it was indeed done!

Let us not be "unwise" sons! Let us look to God for our leadership, and surrender our earthly rulers to God in devoted prayer!

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.

Here is a promise from God. HE shall become the SAVIOR! God Himself shall redeem those who trust in Him from death. Death has no power to hold down those who trust in God, for God Himself shall deliver them! It is a promise from God from which He will NOT "repent!"

God Himself came to become the ransom for our redemption from slavery to sin. He came in the Person of Jesus. he defeated sin, death and the grave!

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.

But even though God would Personally come and expend His own body for the ransom of men from the slavery of sin, these to whom Hosea preached could not be saved! They REFUSED the only HELP they could have.

Therefore, God would make them as parched grain in the dry east wind. They would die unfruitful as they had been unfruitful.

When Assyria came to Samaria, they were first starved during the siege. Then, when Samaria fell, the Assyrian forces "ripped" open the women who were "with child."

Truly, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:31)

To "fall into" His hands through surrender brings salvation and peace.
To "fall into" His hands through rebellion brings HELL!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.