Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Yahweh laments Ephraim’s iniquity and vows to punish it severely.
II. Photo
God has harsh plans for Ephraim: “When they go, I will spread my net over them, I will bring them down like birds of the sky!” (v. 12a)
III. Important Verses
1-2: When I would heal Israel, The guilt of Ephraim reveals itself And the wickedness of Samaria. For they have acted treacherously, With thieves breaking in And bands raiding outside. And they do not consider That I remembered all their wickedness. Why, their misdeeds have been all around them, They have been ever before Me.
8-9: Ephraim is among the peoples; He is rotting away. Ephraim is like a cake — Incapable of turning. Strangers have consumed his strength, But he has taken no notice; Also, mold is scattered over him, But he has taken no notice.
10-11: Though Israel’s pride has been humbled Before his very eyes, They have not turned back To their God the LORD; They have not sought Him In spite of everything. Instead, Ephraim has acted Like a silly dove with no mind: They have appealed to Egypt! They have gone to Assyria!
12-13: When they go, I will spread My net over them, I will bring them down Like birds of the sky; I will chastise them When I hear their bargaining. Woe to them For straying from Me; Destruction to them For rebelling against Me! For I was their Redeemer; Yet they have plotted treason against Me.
IV. Outline
1-2. God’s awareness of Israel’s iniquity
3-7. Israel’s political failures
8-9. Ephraim’s miserable state
10-11. Ephraim turns to Egypt and Assyria, not God
12-13. Consequences: God will bring Ephraim down
14-16. The futility of Ephraim
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://www.charliesbirdblog.com/~charlie/forsgren/Sparrow.jpg
