The previous chapter emphasized that judgment was inevitable because Israel had refused to follow their ancestor Jacob’s example by repenting. In Hosea 13, the prophet expands upon that judgment. The first and last verses of this chapter declare the “guilt” of the nation which led to their destruction (v 1, 16). Hosea begins by considering “Ephraim” (v 1), a name which is found 37 times in the book. Ephraim and Manasseh were the sons of Joseph whom Jacob blessed, reversing their order, so that Ephraim was given the place of honor (Gen 48). In the Old Testament, Ephraim’s descendants caused problems because they felt they were an important tribe, deserving special recognition. When the kingdom was divided after Solomon’s day, this tribe was so powerful that the whole northern kingdom was often called by their name. But Ephraim abandoned the LORD to participate in the rituals of Baal worship. Just as these idols had no substance, the people themselves will become like morning dew that the sun burns away, like chaff that the wind drives away, and like smoke that disappears out the window and is no more (v 1-3). God had delivered their ancestors out of their Egyptian bondage. Then He guided them through the wilderness, providing for every need. From the earliest history of the nation, the LORD acted as their Deliverer and Sustainer. Indeed, there could be no deliverance apart from Him, because He is the only Savior. Yet when they received the abundant wealth of the Promised Land, the hearts of the people became proud and self-reliant. Focused on their gifts, they forgot the Giver, drifting further and further away from Him (v 4-6). Therefore, God would now act as their enemy. He envisions Himself as a wild animal attacking His people. Sadly, their Deliverer will become their Destroyer. Their Helper will now oppose them, because they had turned against Him. Previously they looked to political leaders to save them from enemy nations, but no king is able to save when a ferocious God is on the attack (v 7-11). The LORD was storing up a record of Israel’s sins to justify the judgment when it comes. By refusing to repent, the nation had become like an “unwise son,” too stubborn to come out of the womb of his own mother! It was an unnatural and dangerous situation, and it would ultimately be fatal. Israel will miserably perish as a consequence of their sin, separated from God’s compassion. But one day, God will ransom His people through the substitutionary death and victorious resurrection of His own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! (v 12-16). For further meditation: