Hosea 12 - Introduction

The Course Leading to Destruction

-- Hosea Twelve --

The path of forsaking God always leads to sure and certain destruction. Ephraim forsook God, and courted the alliance of idolatrous nations. Such a path could only lead to destruction. God had been so good to the man that He named Israel and later to the nation that bore that name. Yet the nation became dishonest and deceitful. Hosea described in very understandable terms how unprofitableness Israel had become and desolation that would attend their choices and actions.

The children of Israel would lose their possessions are a result of their rebellion against God. God said, "I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast." (Hosea 12:9) God had provided them many opportunities of instruction and repentance for Israel, yet they refused. He said, "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets." (Hosea 12:10) God raised these people from a very humble beginning to become a strong nation. Divine judgments was about to fall upon Israel. "Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him." (Hosea 12:14)