Hosea 11-14
Hosea 11
1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
This verse was fulfilled by Jesus in
Matthew 2:15.
Even though when you read the first part of the verse it totally deals with calling Israel (the young nation) out of Egypt, and doesn't sound like he's talking about his only begotten son Jesus Christ, that's what it means.
Even though the rest of the chapter is about the backsliding of the people, it's about the coming Messiah. Even though "messiah" is only used twice in the Bible, this verse refers to him.
The rest of the chapter is about Ephraim (the Northern Kingdom) backsliding.
6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
Admah and Zeboim were two of the cities of the plain that wer destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah. Why Hosea chose to use those obscure cities instead of Sodom and Gomorrah, probably just goes to show how badly God is going to ruin Ephraim. It's not bad enough to destroy them like S&G, he's going to make them like A&Z, and no one even knows who they are, we can only speculate.
12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
This also must refer to the messiah, since we know that Judah winds up sucking just as much as Ephraim.
Hosea 12
1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
Ephraim sucks.
2 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
Apparently Jacob also sucks. Odd, that God would refer to him as Jacob when he is Israel. Perhaps Hosea was just attempting to clarify that he's talking about Israel the man, and not the nation, by using Israel's original name.
12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
So Laban must have been in Syria.
Hosea 13
1 When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
Ephraim sucks.
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.
They made idols, and that's why God's going to have his revenge.
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.
Why did God not follow his own commandment and kill the disrespectful child? Why didn't he follow his own commandment and kill the adulteress wife? Why did he give extra chances? Why, when he knows the outcome? I think he just really likes to punish. PRAISE HIM!!!
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.
East winds are bad in that area. A west wind comes in off the Mediterranean, an east wind comes in from the desert. It dries and it kills.
Hosea 14
1 O israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
Hmmm, why does Biblegateway have Israel not capitalized?
Iniquity, that word has been used a lot in Hosea. Here's a refresher on that word. Iniquity isn't just sin, it's not just sinning. It's loving the sin. Like a person who enjoys speeding. You can accidentally speed, you can speed because you are late for work, or you can speed because you like going fast. Which of those is forgivable? Which of those doesn't deserve forgiveness?
4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
Holy crap, is Ephraim going to be forgiven?
7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
This must be referring to the Messiah, since no one from the northern kingdom is around. All that was left after they went away was a the southern kingdom. That was pretty much just the tribe of Judah and some of the Levites. Ephraim is gone.
8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Ephraim isn't around, so I guess he's not playing with idols anymore.
So what have we learned?
1. Ephraim sucks. That's pretty much the theme for all of Hosea and today's reading.
2. If you give up on your idols (which you probably won't) God will forgive you.
3. East winds suck more than Ephraim.
YIC
V