Unto Ephraim as a Moth - Hosea 5:12

In the book of Hosea, Hosea said, “Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment”, and in chapter five and verse twelve of Hosea, Hosea said, “therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth”where we read,

Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth,

and to the house of Judah as rottenness.

The verse begins, “Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, ...” Hosea began with the words, “therefore will I be unto Ephraim” or “wherefore, then and on this account shall I, Jehovah God, exist toward Ephraim whose name means double ash-heap or I shall be doubly fruitful and was the name sometimes used for the northern kingdom” “as a moth” which means “similar and in likeness to an insect called a moth that is waster or consumer of wool”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God concluded that He would exist like a wool consuming “moth” toward the people of “Ephraim”.

The verse continues, “... and to the house of Judah as rottenness.” Hosea added the words, “and to the house of Judah”or “and toward the habitation, dwelling and abode belonging to Judah whose name means praised and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon” “as rottenness” which means “similar and in likeness to decay and the ravages of a worm”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God was going to exist toward “Judah” similar to the decay that is caused by the ravages of a worm. 

When we meditate upon Hosea's words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God was going to bring judgment upon the people in “Ephraim and Judah”. Because they relied upon and worship human wisdom and idols, Jehovah God would become a consuming influence against them. God wants to bless people and not curse them, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins, errors and wrongs of every person to prove it. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. (See John 16:13) However, if we rely upon human understanding and idols, we shall be left to the consuming power of the Almighty God of the Universe.

Next time Hosea shares what happens, “when Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".