Ephraim exalted himself in Israel but when he turned to Baal worship he died (v1-3). It seemed that they were sinning more and more, even making their own molded images. They were evidently craftsmen but putting their skills to wrong things. Hosea had previously referred to child sacrifices in 9:13. Because they trusted in themselves, they would be blown away like chaff and disappear like the morning dew.
The LORD reminded them that He was still The LORD their God and had not changed from when they were in Egypt. He had given them the Ten Commandments on their journey and stressed that they were to have no other God but He (v4-8). He had been with them through the wilderness and provided for their needs. However, they had forgotten and forsaken God in their prosperity.
It is a common occurrence, as history tells us, that humans trust in God until He provides for them and then turn away from Him. That does not mean that God changes, nor does He leave us. However, in His love He chastens His people and that is what we have here, often using the lion, the leopard and the bear, wild beasts.
These animals were common in Palestine. They are often mentioned in the Bible – David fought a lion and a bear for instance (1 Samuel 17:34). In Isaiah 11:6-9 we read of all these beasts –“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.”
Despite Israel facing destruction, The LORD told them that He would help them and would be their king if only they would turn to Him. However, they wanted their own way and a king of their own choice (v9-11). They wanted a king like the other nations. God wasn’t pleased and gave them what they wanted, but He still showed that He was sovereign and removed kings as time went on. Some were good kings, but most were not.
The LORD pronounced judgment on Ephraim, they would come like labour pains, usually unexpected. In His grace and mercy, He would show His power and willingness to rescue them (v12-16). Similarly, Samaria, which was part of Israel would fall because of their rebellion. They would, however, see that The LORD was able and willing to redeem them if they repented.
