When Ephraim Spoke Trembling - Hosea 13:1

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him”, and in chapter thirteen and verse one of Hosea, Hosea shared what happened, “when Ephraim spoke trembling” where we read,

When Ephraim spoke trembling, he exalted himself in Israel;

but when he offended in Baal, he died.

The verse begins, “When Ephraim spoke trembling, he exalted himself in Israel;” Hosea began with the words, “when Ephraim” or “at the time and moment Ephraim whose name means double ash-heap or I shall be doubly fruitful and was the name sometimes used for the northern kingdom” “spoke trembling” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed in terror”, “he exalted himself” or “he, Ephraim, lifted up, supported and sustained their own selves” “in Israel” which means “within Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of descendants of Jacob”. Hosea referred to the time that “Ephraim” spoke and it caused terror in those who heard them, and they lifted up and sustained themselves within “Israel”.

The verse goes on to say, “but when he offended in Baal, he died.” Hosea continued with the words, “but when he offended” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at the time and moment he, Ephraim, trespassed, committed an injury and became guilty” “in Baal” which means “within Baal whose name means lord and was the supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites”, “he died” or “he, Ephraim, was executed, put to death and perished”. Hosea shared how “Ephraim” was put to death because they trespassed against Jehovah God by worshiping“Baal”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how there was a time that “Ephraim” made proclamations, and the people who heard them trembled as they lifted themselves up in “Israel”, however, they perished at the time they abandoned Jehovah God and worshiped “Baal” instead. God knows the blessings that He wants to pour our upon people who have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He is aware of the curses of death that come upon those who refuse and reject Him. (See Proverbs 14:12; 16:25) When we believe and trust in Jesus as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us in a state of worshiping Him and no other god that is in the world. 

Next time Hosea says, “and they sin more and more”, 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".