Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Hosea condemns Israel and Judah for sinning.
II. Photo
God describes his relationship with his people: “For it is I who am like rot to Ephraim, like decay to the House of Judah.” (v. 12)
III. Important Verses
8-9a: Sound a ram’s horn in Gibeah, A trumpet in Ramah; Give the alarm in Beth-aven; After you, Benjamin! Ephraim is stricken with horror On a day of chastisement.
9b-12: Against the tribes of Israel I proclaim certainties: The officers of Judah have acted Like shifters of field boundaries; On them I will pour out My wrath like water. Ephraim is defrauded, Robbed of redress, Because he has witlessly Gone after futility. For it is I who am like rot to Ephraim, Like decay to the House of Judah;
13-14: Yet when Ephraim became aware of his sickness, Judah of his sores, Ephraim repaired to Assyria — He sent envoys to a patron king! He will never be able to cure you, Will not heal you of your sores. No, I will be like a lion to Ephraim, Like a great beast to the House of Judah; I, I will attack and stride away, Carrying the prey that no one can rescue;
15: And I will return to My abode — Till they realize their guilt. In their distress, they will seek Me And beg for My favor.
IV. Outline
1. Introduction: Israel’s leaders have led it astray
2. Hosea’s role as reprover
3-4. The sins of Ephraim (=Israel)
5-7. Ephraim’s punishment
8-12. Proclamations against Ephraim and Judah
13-15. God’s wrath towards Judah and Ephraim for turning to Assyria
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Photo taken from http://homepage.mac.com/macalba/images/2009/09/20090621-13-27-00-fabulous-fungus–orange-platelets.jpg
