Hosea 13 - Introduction

Israel is Doomed Because of Sin

-- Hosea Thirteen --

This section reminds us again how that those that hold God in awe and obey Him are blessed. We are also reminded of the opposite, sin brings ruin and misery. The principle will always be true, obey God and be blessed; disobey and suffer the consequences. Ephraim or Israel is a vivid example of this truth. They obeyed and received tremendous blessings from God. Latter their disobedience brought them terrible loss.

The fact that God had been so good to Israel makes the guilt of their sin and disobedience even worse. God had blessed them abundantly and they had shamefully abused His goodness. Disobedience lead them to face severe punishment at the hand of their own loving God. They destroyed themselves with disobedience. However, if they would repent God would still forgive them and protect them as no other could. Sadly, Israel did not repent but acted like a rebellious child.

Still God promised ransom and rescue His people as if bringing them back from the dead. However their sins lead them to a point of national calamity. "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." (Hosea 13:16)