9 And I consume them there as a lioness, A beast of the field doth rend them. 10 Thou hast destroyed thyself, O Israel, But in Me 'is' thy help, Where 'is' thy king now—And he doth save thee in all thy cities? And thy judges of whom thou didst say, 'Give to me a king and heads?' 11 I give to thee a king in Mine anger, And I take away in My wrath. 12 Bound up 'is' the iniquity of Ephraim, Hidden 'is' his sin, 13 Pangs of a travailing woman come to him, He 'is' a son not wise, For he remaineth not the time for the breaking forth of sons. 14 From the hand of Sheol I do ransom them, From death I redeem them, Where 'is' thy plague, O death? Where thy destruction, O Sheol? Repentance is hid from Mine eyes. 15 Though he among brethren produceth fruit, Come in doth an east wind, a wind of Jehovah, From a wilderness it is coming up, And it drieth up his fountain, And become dry doth his spring, It—it spoileth a treasure—every desirable vessel. 16 Become desolate doth Samaria, Because she hath rebelled against her God, By sword they do fall, Their sucklings are dashed in pieces, And its pregnant ones are ripped up!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 13:9-16
Commentary on Hosea 13:9-16
(Read Hosea 13:9-16)
Israel had destroyed himself by his rebellion; but he could not save himself, his help was from the Lord only. This may well be applied to the case of spiritual redemption, from that lost state into which all have fallen by wilful sins. God often gives in displeasure what we sinfully desire. It is the happiness of the saints, that, whether God gives or takes away, all is in love. But it is the misery of the wicked, that, whether God gives or takes away, it is all in wrath, nothing is comfortable. Except sinners repent and believe the gospel, anguish will soon come upon them. The prophecy of the ruin of Israel as a nation, also showed there would be a merciful and powerful interposition of God, to save a remnant of them. Yet this was but a shadow of the ransom of the true Israel, by the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. He will destroy death and the grave. The Lord would not repent of his purpose and promise. Yet, in the mean time, Israel would be desolated for her sins. Without fruitfulness in good works, springing from the Holy Spirit, all other fruitfulness will be found as empty as the uncertain riches of the world. The wrath of God will wither its branches, its sprigs shall be dried up, it shall come to nothing. Woes, more terrible than any from the most cruel warfare, shall fall on those who rebel against God. From such miseries, and from sin, the cause of them, may the Lord deliver us.