They Sin More and More

Hos 13:1 When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

Ephraim (Israel) trembled when they realized that they were dead in their sins and facing judgment. Often though people will exalt themselves placing humanity or science or some other idol as a right. It may be a right to them, but it is not right to a righteous God, to sin and worship Baal. Because of this they would die in their sins.

Hos 13:2 And 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.

They were totally given over to the worship of Baal, kissing the calf idols. This literally reads "sacrificers of men kiss calves". The Bible speaks of child sacrifice by worshipping the god Molech. There may have been human sacrifices to Baal as well. We call it abortion in our time.

Lev 18:21 And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

They made idols of silver and kissed the calf. Can we compare this to a people worshipping a bull market? Making idols of their silver and gold. Gold currently sells for $1600 an ounce, showing how the dollar is failing and how people kiss their silver and gold for security. Well kiss it goodbye for we had better kiss the Son of God instead.

Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Judas betrayed the Son of God with a kiss, loving silver more than the Lord.

Luk 22:48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

Mat 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Mat 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
Mat 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Judas like Ephraim had gone too far and had to face imminent death. If you feel you have gone too far into sin, repent and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and a new life. Open your heart and eyes to Jesus who came to save you and all who will believe in him.

Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Hos 13:3 Therefore 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.
Hos 13:4 Yet 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.

Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Our life is like a vapor in comparison to eternity. The God of Israel sent his Son Jesus to be your savior from sin and death; he is our savior.

Luk 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Hos 13:5 I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

Hos 13:6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

The LORD met their needs in the wilderness and established them in the promise land. Prosperity and ease had turned their hearts away from obedience and the worship of their true God. We hear so much on prosperity and the spirit. Be careful less ye turn from the LORD God of Israel unto prosperity gods of the people around you. Beware also that you not forget Jesus in your spirit talk. Some are leaving God and Jesus, the Bible and truth for the words of other spirits. Seeking higher and higher levels, but not after their God who gave them all truth and good things.

Psa 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Hos 13:7 Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
Hos 13:8 I 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.

Israel had left the safety of their LORD and the LORD was forced to stalk them as wild beasts, to repay them for their choices. They walked in danger. This is the LORD of the old covenant who has given us grace through his Son Jesus, by the New Covenant of faith.

Leopards, bears, lions, all are under the dominion of God. The children of God had become children of satan. The unruly parents often raise unruly children. Do not offend God or his servants. The following story of Elijah is for our learning.

2Ki 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
2Ki 2:24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

Perhaps if a multitude of children come at you in hostility, or a youth gang in an inner city, then you may call on the name of Jesus. We are now in the age of grace. Elijah had power to call bears and even fire from heaven, but in this time we are sent to save people from the coming judgment. An example of this change was when James and John wanted to send fire down on those who would not receive Jesus in Samaria, but Jesus rebuked them.

Luk 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Luk 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Luk 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

The spirit of Jesus seeks to save and not to destroy.

Hos 13:9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
Hos 13:10 I 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?
Hos 13:11 I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.

Jehovah is the God of Israel and also their king. When they demanded a king like the other nations they received Saul. There is no king like the Lord and no king like Jesus his son. You trust Jesus for he will not lie to you. Evil men will try to rule from satan's power, but our Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God is greater.

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Hos 13:12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
Hos 13:13 The 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.

As a woman in travail ready to give birth to a new life, Israel stubbornly refuses the new life with God by faith because he will not forsake his sins; by doing this he opposed his own salvation.

2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Hos 13:14 I 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.

The LORD was willing to deliver them from death and the power of the grave. He would come in Jesus to die in our place to save us from sin and death.

1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hos 13:15 Though 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.

With the LORD's compassion removed, Israel's prosperity would come to an end. He would come in judgment as a hot and dry east wind would come drying out everything in it's path.. The Assyrians would invade like the east wind sent from the LORD.

Hos 13:16 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.

The LORD would keep his covenant promise to Israel. They had caused him to come against them.

Lev 26:23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me;
Lev 26:24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.
Lev 26:25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

No people can live for long in prosperity ignoring the God of Israel. His grace is in his Son, the Lord Jesus christ.

1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Believe in Jesus, depart from sin and be saved.

The LORD is Just

Hos 12:1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Lies and desolation. Desolation meaning: havoc, violence, destruction. Lies and irresponsible violence a sign of the absence of righteous judgment. Righteous judgment is what God wants for his people.

Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Ephraim feeds on the east wind, they followed wrong spirits, empty vane things that do not satisfy.

Jer 18:17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

Ephraim made a covenant, perhaps a peace treaty with Assyria, the enemy that would take them captive. They paid tribute of olive oil to Egypt. Bribing our enemies never brings favor.

Hos 12:2 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

They should have been seeking the LORD for protection. If the LORD was against them, then there was no security. We must learn to trust the LORD instead of seeking the world for security and blessings. Jacob was under the covenant of the law which required obedience and blessings or curses and punishment for disobedience.

Historical incites concerning Jacob

Hos 12:3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
Hos 12:4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

Hosea makes clever use of the Hebrew names for Jacob and Israel. The root name for Jacob is: heel." The root name for Israel is "struggled." Jacob,( heal holder or supplanter) from the womb grabbed his brothers heel and would also grab his birthright by deception.

Gen 25:26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

Jacob received the name Israel, (God prevailed) by wrestling with an angel until he was given a blessing.

Gen 32:26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

Hos 12:5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
Hos 12:6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

Jesus would seek mercy and judgment

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Jacob returned to Bethel where he met God. Israel needed to repent and return to the LORD as well.

Gen 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother

Hos 12:7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
Hos 12:8 And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

Using a balance that was not a true measurement of weight oppressing people when they bought and sold. Israel was proud of their riches received by deceit. Because of their prosperity they thought they were without sin. Doesn't the LORD bless those who do well?

Pro 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Eze 22:12 In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.

Is not the church in error if they seek prosperity apart from a prosperous soul?

3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

A pink Cadillac is just a pink Cadillac, and not the measure of true prosperity. The soul prospers by doing the will of God, doing good, studying his word and by prayer.

Hos 12:9 And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

The feast of tabernacles recalls the time that Israel fleeing Egypt, journeyed in the wilderness living in tents and make shift shelters.

Lev 23:42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
Lev 23:43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Mar 9:5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Mar 9:6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
Mar 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Hos 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

Hosea's marriage to a harlot was a similitude or metaphor of Israel's harlotry to the LORD of Israel.

Hos 12:11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

Hosea again uses the Hebrew words to make a play on words. Gilead sounded like the word gallim, which meant a pile of stones. The altars would be pulled down into heaps of stones by the invading Assyrians. Both Gilead and Gilgal were places of sacrifices to false idols.

Hos 12:12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
Hos 12:13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

The LORD reminds Israel that even though they would be slaves tending sheep and living in tents, that Jacob also worked tending sheep to earn his bride(s). The LORD also provided a prophet and deliverer in Moses. They too would someday be delivered by their Messiah.

Hos 12:14 Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Ephraim must face the anger of God because of their turning away from him into idolatry. His blood shall remain on him and the results of his sin would return upon him. Not a pleasant thing but our Loving God is also a God of holy righteousness. Sins must be paid for.

Jer 18:20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.
Jer 18:21 Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.

It used to be said in movies and in books "crime does not pay." This may not seem to be true, when so much evil seems to get by and prosper. But God is the final judge.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Come to Jesus and be forgiven now. Turn from wickedness and live for God. You will receive a peaceful and prosperous soul. Turn again to your LORD and repent.

Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.