Hosea 13:1-16
Q.1. How had God treated Israel in her youth? How had Israel insulted their God? Why was destruction inevitable? – (Hos.13:1-8 c.f. 1 Kgs.12:25-33)
God took all the initiatives in caring for the nation – 4 … I have been the Lord your God Since the land of Egypt; And you were not to know any god except Me, For there is no saviour besides Me. 5 I cared for you in the wilderness … (Hos.13:4-5). However, Israel, under Jeroboam, had worshiped calves and other gods (1 Kgs.12:25-33). The more God blessed His people, the more they turned to other gods. Their faithfulness had evaporated like a morning mist. God had no option, but to bring on the nation all the curses He had promised.
Q.2. How did Israel reveal their foolishness toward God? What terrible judgment would fall upon the nation? What hope were they promised in death? – (Hos.13:9-16 c.f. 1 Cor.15:55-56)
Israel’s mistrust of God grew from an initial request for a king. Other nations were relying on their inferior foreign kings for salvation. Israel wanted to do the same. God would use these same nations in which she trusted, to execute His fierce wrath. The slaughter would be terrible. As Israel faced death in judgment, God would refuse to ransom her again, or show compassion for her – Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight (Hos.13:14 c.f. 1 Cor.15:55-56). In his teaching about the resurrection of Christ, Paul revealed the massive difference between this sting of death for the unbelieving, and that of those who keep their trust in Christ. Sadly, Israel had abandoned her only hope in life and beyond the grave.