vv.1-3 Israel to Disappear because of Idolatry. Ephraim early became the dominant tribe in the north: “when Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel” (v.1). The pride of Ephraim showed itself early in the book of Judges when: (1) the argued for more land, (2) they were offended at Gideon, and (3) were offended again at Jephthah. But they were also early infected with idolatry, specifically Baal-worship (see Judges 17-18, where idolatry is introduced in Mount Ephraim and then spreads to the tribe of Dan). The pride and idolatry soon characterized all the northern tribes, which distinguished themselves after the division of north and south. The northern kingdom had gone deep into idolatry, and continued to get worse and worse: “they sin more and more” (v.2). They made idols according to their own imagination, to the height of folly where they were worshipping something their own hands had made: “Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves” (v.2). Kissing the calves was an act of worship toward the idols. Men whom God had created were bowing in affection and reverence toward objects that men themselves had created. The northern kingdom, which had become quite powerful by this time, would vanish as a result. Hosea gives four pictures of something that quickly disappears: “the morning cloud”, “the early dew that passeth away”, “the chaff driven with the whirlwind” and “the smoke out of the lattice”. No trace would be left.

vv.4-6 Israel Forgets Jehovah in Spite of His Care in the Wilderness. The Lord reminds Israel of His relationship to them. He was still their God, the One who brought them out of the land of Egypt, their only Savior. He had a relationship with them in the wilderness and the desert. He provided pasture for their flocks, and fed them. In spite of this they had forgotten the Lord. How hurtful to His heart! The point is this: the Lord had never changed. He remained the same, and it was they that had been unfaithful. How important then to cleave to the Lord!

 

 

vv.7-8 The Lord as a Lion, Leopard, an Angry She-bear, and a Lioness. The chastening of the Lord would fall on Israel. He would go from being their Shepherd to being a predator, bringing death and destruction. Jehovah gives four animals that He would be like: a lion (power), a leopard lurking (unexpected), a bereaved bear (indignant and ferocious), and lioness (skilled). Further, the Lord would allow the Gentile nations to tear them like “the beast of the field”.

 

v.9 Israel’s One and Only Hope. The grief is apparent in the Lord’s voice: “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.” They did this to themselves. They were making an enemy of their only true Friend. They only hope was in the sovereign grace of God. They had trusted in their false king and judges, but would be disappointed. To touch their conscience and strike their pride, He asks, “Where now is thy king?” The Lord says: “I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.” This looks back to Israel’s desire for a king: “make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Sam. 8:5). Their desire for a king was a rejection of Jehovah: “they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Sam. 8:7). God gave them their request, although it clearly displeased Him. God sometimes allows people to have what they insist upon to teach them a lesson. The last phrase, “and took him away in my wrath”, goes beyond Saul to the fall of the northern kingdom with the last king, Hoshea, which ironically is the same name as the prophet’s.

 

vv.12-14 Judgment Would Come, then Redemption, and National Resurrection. Ephraim yet clung to their sin, unwilling to repent. The picture is of something carefully wrapped up and stowed away. Ephraim might act as though his sins had been forgotten, but it was impossible (v.12). The Lord would bring a crisis of judgment upon Israel just as labor pains come upon a woman with child. The last part of v.13 bring the crisis even higher: “he is a son not wise; for at the time of the breaking forth of children, he was not there.” When the moment of birth arrives, the baby did not come forth. Instead of passing through the crisis, Ephraim remained stubborn lodged where he was, refusing repentance. Then it suddenly changes to what Jehovah will do for Israel in grace: “I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death” (v.14). This speaks prophetically of Israel’s national restoration (Ezek. 37 – the valley of dry bones). Their condition would become like death, but God’s power could bring them back (Isa. 26:19; Ezek. 37:1-14; Dan. 12:2; Hos. 6:2). The end of v.14 is quoted by Paul in 1 Cor. 15:54-55 to speak of the Christ’s final victory over death and the grave: “where, O death, are thy plagues? where, O Sheol, is thy destruction?” The immediate application is to Israel – the very powers that held them would be broken – but Paul applies the principle to the far greater victory accomplished through Christ over literal death. The last clause, “Repentance shall be hid from mine eyes”, means there would be no change of mind on Jehovah’s part (Rom. 11:29. His determination to restore them is settled.