Introduction
ISRAEL’S GLORY TURNED TO SHAME, Hosea 13:1-16.
The beginning of a new discourse, which, according to G.A. Smith, “has every mark of being Hosea’s latest.” Whether or not this is so, it is one of the most powerful and comprehensive in the book. It opens with a reference to the tribe of Ephraim, which in the beginning occupied a position of prominence in the nation but when it apostatized from Jehovah signed its own death warrant (Hosea 13:1). From this well-known example Israel should have learned its lesson, but it failed to do so; it persisted in shameless idolatry, therefore it will vanish like chaff before the whirlwind (Hosea 13:2-3). The rebellious attitude of Israel, the prophet continues, is unintelligible, since the God whom they have rejected is the God who led them from the time of the Exodus. Strange to say, the more Jehovah prospered them the more arrogant they became, the more forgetful of Jehovah; hence he will devour them like a lion (Hosea 13:4-8). By rebelling against Jehovah Israel courted destruction, which is now inevitable. No one can prevent it, Jehovah himself can show mercy no longer (Hosea 13:9-14). The discourse closes with a threat of utter destruction (Hosea 13:15-16).
Be the first to react on this!
