Old Testament Scriptural Summaries and Commentary

Supplemental Reading, Old Testament,  Hosea 6-9, 12

Gospel Doctrine Class Sunday School Lesson #34

"I Will Betroth Thee Unto Me in Righteousness" (Hosea 2:19)

Book Reference: The Words of the Twelve Prophets, Monte S. Nyman, Farres H. Nyman, pp. 35-46.

Book Reference: The Old Testament Made Easier, Part Three, David J. Ridges

Chapter 6 ― Return unto the LORD

            Hosea exhorts the children of Israel to "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up" (v. 1). This is a prophecy for the future gathering, perhaps even in the Millennium (SM p. 108).  In a reference to the resurrection he writes, "After two days will he revive us (see  6:2a, restore us to Life; i.e. resurrect): in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight" (v. 6:2b, presence).  "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning" (v. 3).

"[This] is a call to seek the knowledge of Jehovah, whose rising is fixed like the morning dawn and whose blessing is 'as the latter and former rain unto the earth.' To the farmer in ancient Israel, two 'rains' were very critical. The former (or first) rains softened the earth so that he could plow it and plant the seed; the latter (or second) rains gave the crop its growth" (SM p. 108).  (See also Joel 2:23.)

            Now the LORD laments over what to do about Ephraim and Judah.  Using vivid imagery, he says: "O Ephraim [Israel], what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud [fades quickly], and as the early dew it goeth away" (v. 4)  "For I desired mercy [translated from the Hebrew "steadfast love"] and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings" (v. 6).

“We probably should not press Hosea’s words to mean that he was opposed to formal worship. But clearly he was opposed to forms that were devoid of the spirit of true faithfulness to the God of the covenant. Jesus twice asked his hearers to go and reread Hosea 6:6 when he was accused of breaking the formal rules of orthodoxy (cf. Matt. 9:13 and 12:7).” (Bernhard W. Anderson, Understanding the Old Testament, p. 248; quoted in the Student Manual, p. 108.)

Chapter 7 ― Israel Is Only "Half-Baked"        

            In this chapter, Hosea uses the metaphor of the baker and baking. "Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned" (v. 8)  "Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not" (v. 9).  "Because Ephraim (the Northern Kingdom) had mixed with other nations, worshiped their idols, and learned their ways, she had only fulfilled half the requisites for the conquest of Canaan, or she was only 'half baked'" (SM, p. 108).

Note: When the twelve tribes entered the promised land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness, they were commanded by the Lord to destroy everything in the land.  They failed to do this; thus the children of the Lord became tainted by other cultures, religious practices, and political objectives [such as war and corruption].

“Israel had thereby become a cake not turned. [The image in Hebrew is of] a cake baked upon hot ashes or red-hot stones, which, if it be not turned, is burned at the bottom, and not baked at all above. The meaning of this figure is explained by verse  9. As the fire will burn an ash-cake when it is left unturned, so have foreigners consumed the strength of Israel, partly by devastating wars, and partly by the heathenish nature which has penetrated into Israel in their train.” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary,10:1:107–8: quoted in the Student Manual, p. 108.)

            Hosea also refers to Ephraim (Israel) as being "like a silly dove without heart [understanding]" because "they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria" (v. 11).  Instead of putting their trust in the Lord, they make alliances with and pay tribute to untrustworthy partners who will betray them.  The Lord pronounces a "Woe" on them: "for they have fled from me" and he will yet destroy [scatter] them though he has redeemed them [through the plan of salvation], yet they speak lies against him (v.13).

Chapter 8 - Israel Has Transgressed The Lord's Covenant and Law

            Again, we hear the Lord identifying the sins and transgressions of Israel: [1] "they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law" (v. 1); [2] "Israel hath cast off the thing that is good" (v. 3); [3] "They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols" (v. 4); [4] Because Ephraim (Israel) hath made many alters to sin, "altars shall be unto him to sin"  (v. 11); [5] "They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it" [this could refer to human sacrifice] (v. 13) [6] "For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples [palaces]; and Judah hath multiplied fenced [fortified] cities" [for war] (v. 14).

            But the Lord will punish Israel and Judah for their sins.  [1] "Thy calf (idol), O Samaria [capital city of Israel], hath cast thee off (idols have no power to help or protect); mine anger is kindled against them" (v. 5); [2] "the calf, of Samaria shall be broken in pieces" (v. 6); [3] "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" (v. 7);  [4] "Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles [scattered] as a vessel wherein is no pleasure" (v. 8); [5] "now will he [the Lord] remember their iniquity, and visit their sins"  (v. 13); [6] "I will send fire upon his [Israel and Judah's] cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof" (v. 14).

Compare Isaiah 40:24 -  "Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them [with the wind], and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble"―Israel will be scattered and lost.

Chapter 9― The Lord Will Punish Israel

            Hosea continues to prophesy of the scattering, captivity and bondage which is to come.  "For, lo they are gone because of destruction: Egypt [the place of their first captivity] shall gather them up, Memphis [a city in Egypt] shall bury them"―meaning many will die in captivity (v. 6).  Since this prophecy  has not yet been fulfilled at the time of this prophecy by Hosea, the reference to Egypt and Memphis is a metaphor for Assyria who will overrun Israel and carry the people away in 722 B.C.  Also, "…yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left" (v. 12).  And, "My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations" (v. 17).

            Now, Hosea warns Ephraim "their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception" (v. 11). 

The Student Manual explains: "the Northern Kingdom shall see no conception, no pregnancy, no birth―Ephraim will be left totally desolate" (p. 109).

"Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts" (v. 14).  "…they shall bear no fruit:, yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb"―meaning their babies (v. 16).

"Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer" [Priests of Baal, for sacrifice] (v.13).

Note:  This chapter contains "figurative expressions" that were understood by the Israelites of Hosea's day but need explanation to readers of today, as follows:

[1] "Grapes in the wilderness; first ripe fruit of the fig (v. 10). Both grapes and figs were viewed as choice fruits by the people anciently. Jehovah found Israel, at first, a delightful thing."

  [2] Baal-peor (v. 10). "Another way of saying the people were committing immoral acts" (see Numbers 25:1–3; Psalm 106:28).

[3] "Have children but be bereaved (v. 12). Even their grown-up sons shall be cut off."

[4] "Ephraim and Tyre (Tyrus) (v. 13). Tyre was renowned for its glory and splendor. God had chosen Ephraim for similar blessings, but because of their wickedness they would be barren."

[5] "Gilgal (v. 15).  Gilgal was where the law of circumcision was renewed after Israel crossed over Jordan in Joshua’s day, but it had become polluted by idolatry since the days of Jeroboam." 

[6] "The princes are revolters" (v. 15). See  Hosea 5:1–2 above.  (Student Manual, p. 109.)

Chapter 12― Hosea speaks of Jacob, the Father of Israel

            Hosea refers to Jacob's birth: "He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God" (12:3).

Following is my summary of the birth of Jacob and Esau taken from The Old Testament―Genesis thru 1 Samuel (Genesis 25:21-34): 

Isaac and Rebekah were married for 20 years and were childless.  After praying fervently to the Lord, Rebekah conceived twins.  And the children struggled within her womb.  She prayed to the Lord and He told her that two nations were inside her and two manner of people—and one would be stronger than the other.  He also said the elder shall serve the younger.  Their names were Esau [meaning hairy] and Jacob [meaning supplanter—takes the place of].  As they grew Esau [born first] became a cunning hunter and Jacob was a plain man.  Isaac loved Esau because he ate his venison but Rebekah loved Jacob.  Esau’s story is that he sold his birthright to Jacob, when he was hungry, for a mess of pottage [soup].  And Jacob made Esau swear [as a covenant] that Esau’s birthright would go to him.  And Esau swore unto him and sold his birthright to Jacob.  Esau thus rejected the responsibility of living righteously and passing on the blessings and covenants of the priesthood.

Hosea also refers to Jacob's struggle with an angel:  "Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he [God] spake with us [him]" (12:4).  The following is also from my summary  (Genesis 32):

At the time that Jacob left his home and parents, Esau threatened to kill him because Jacob was given the birthright blessing by Isaac [instead of Esau] under false pretences.  Now, he is retuning and is fearful of how Esau will accept him.  As Jacob continues on his way, angels of God are with him.  He sends out messengers to Esau to tell him that he has his own wealth and that he comes in peace. 

That night Jacob wrestles with a man [angel of God] all night and his hip is out of joint in the morning.  Jacob prevails and asks the angel to bless him.  And the Lord appeared to Jacob and changed his name to "Israel" meaning “He perseveres with God.”  And Jacob saw God face to face.  As he continues on his journey to Canaan, he was limping because of the injury to his hip.

The Student Manual is silent on the interpretation of these two verses (12:3-4).  Some think it shows Jacob to be weak from the beginning.  However, another opinion is "It shows that Jacob was strong from the beginning and prevailed in his mortal probation."  However, "Jacob's strength will not save his posterity.  Each person and each nation will be judged individually" (v. 2) (Nyman and Nyman, p. 33).

            The Lord affirms his relationship with Jacob saying: "Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial" (12:5). 

This scripture is a reference to Exodus 3:15: "And God said… unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you:  this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations."

            Now, The Lord through Hosea accuses: "Ephraim feedeth on the wind, and followeth after the east wind:" (v:1)―the people believe "that which has not truth or substance" (SM, p. 109).  But Ephraim has become rich through dishonesty ("the balances of deceit are in his hand") the merchant uses false measures; (see Micah 6:11) and "he loveth to oppress" [the poor and needy].  Yet, they deceive themselves saying, "they [the righteous prophets] shall find none iniquity in me that were sin" (vv. 7-8). 

            The Lord's word to Ephraim:  "…turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment [justice], and wait on thy God continually" (v. 6).  God has spoken to Ephraim and sent "multiplied" visions and similitudes "by the ministry of the prophets."  But the people continue in iniquity (vv. 10-11).  Finally, Hosea warns Ephraim: "the LORD [who] brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet [Moses] was he [Israel] preserved" has been provoked to anger: "therefore shall he leave his blood [see footnote 14a, guilt] upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him" (vv. 13-14).  This is the same message given to Israel that we all must learn―you will have to pay for your sins if you refuse to repent and turn to the Lord.