GiveDownload the App
Book & Chapter
Version

Summary

Hosea 13:1–3 – From fear to foolishness

What happens: When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling, but he sinned through Baal and died. They add sin to sin, making idols like silver calves and kissing them. They become like morning mist, chaff, smoke from a window.

What it means: Losing fear of God leads to spiritual death. Idols reduce a people to nothing. God’s holiness exposes the emptiness of false worship.

Hosea 13:4–8 – No savior but God

What happens: God reminds them He alone is their God since Egypt, and there is no savior besides Him. He cared for them in the wilderness, but when they were filled, they forgot Him. God becomes like a lion, leopard, and bear that tears them.

What it means: Grace forgotten becomes judgment remembered. God alone saves, and ingratitude invites His discipline. He is both Shepherd and Judge.

Hosea 13:9–11 – The failed king

What happens: Destruction comes from themselves, not from God. They wanted a king, and God gave one in anger and took him away in wrath. Their political hope collapses.

What it means: Human solutions cannot replace God’s rule. The Lord sometimes grants our demands to show their futility. True security rests in His kingship.

Hosea 13:12–14 – Stored guilt and the sting of death

What happens: Ephraim’s guilt is bound up, and labor pains come. God speaks of ransoming from Sheol and taunts death’s power, yet the east wind of judgment still approaches because of unrepentance.

What it means: God holds power over death, but mercy is received through repentance. Judgment and hope stand side by side in His word. His sovereignty over death points to His final redemption.

Hosea 13:15–16 – East wind and bitter end

What happens: An east wind from the Lord dries up springs and plunders treasure. Samaria bears guilt for rebellion and faces brutal defeat.

What it means: God’s judgments are real and severe when sin is hardened. He is just, and nations reap what they sow. This warns us to return before hearts grow cold.

Application

  • Keep holy fear of God so blessing does not breed forgetfulness.
  • Confess where you have looked to human power instead of God.
  • Seek the Savior who alone can rob death of its sting.
  • Turn while there is time and ask God to soften your heart.

Bible

1When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

2And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

3Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

4Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

5I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

7Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:

8I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

9O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.

10I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?

11I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.

12The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.

13The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.

14I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

15Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

16Samaria 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 12Hosea 14 →

Take Versely with you

Queue devotion plans, track progress, and unlock audio guides inside the Versely app.

Download the AppSupport Versely