For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them. For I am like a lion to EphraimThe imagery of a lion is powerful and deliberate. In the Hebrew context, a lion symbolizes strength, ferocity, and authority. The lion is often seen as the king of beasts, and here, God is asserting His sovereign power over Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel. The use of "like a lion" indicates impending judgment and the seriousness of Israel's transgressions. Historically, lions were known to inhabit the region, making this metaphor both vivid and terrifying to the original audience. The lion's roar would have been a familiar sound, evoking fear and respect, much like the fear of God's righteous judgment. and like a young lion to the house of Judah
The phrase "young lion" suggests a lion in its prime, full of energy and strength. This indicates that God's judgment is not only powerful but also vigorous and unstoppable. The "house of Judah" refers to the southern kingdom, showing that both Israel and Judah are subject to God's discipline. The young lion's vigor underscores the immediacy and intensity of the coming judgment. In a broader scriptural context, this serves as a warning to all of God's people about the consequences of straying from His commandments. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and go away
The repetition of "I, even I" emphasizes God's personal involvement in the judgment. It is not a distant or impersonal act; it is God Himself who will execute justice. The phrase "tear them to pieces" is graphic, illustrating the severity of the punishment. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where disobedience leads to dire consequences. The act of going away signifies that after the judgment, God will withdraw His presence, leaving the people to face the repercussions of their actions alone. This withdrawal is a profound loss, as God's presence is synonymous with protection and blessing. I will carry them off with no one to rescue them
The imagery of being "carried off" suggests exile and displacement, a fate that indeed befell both Israel and Judah. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled through the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. The phrase "with no one to rescue them" highlights the totality of God's judgment. In their rebellion, the people have forfeited divine protection, and no earthly power can save them. This serves as a sobering reminder of the futility of relying on human strength or alliances instead of God. It calls believers to repentance and reliance on God's mercy and grace, underscoring the hope that while judgment is severe, God's ultimate desire is for restoration and reconciliation. Persons / Places / Events 1. EphraimRepresents the northern kingdom of Israel, often used as a synonym for Israel in the prophetic books. Ephraim was the largest tribe and often led the northern kingdom. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which included Jerusalem. Judah was the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus descended. 3. Lion ImageryThe lion is a symbol of strength and power. In this context, it represents God's judgment and His ability to execute justice. 4. Prophet HoseaA prophet in the 8th century BC, Hosea's ministry was primarily to the northern kingdom of Israel. His messages often included themes of judgment and redemption. 5. Divine JudgmentThe event of God executing His judgment on Israel and Judah due to their unfaithfulness and idolatry. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in JudgmentGod is depicted as a lion, emphasizing His power and authority to judge nations. This serves as a reminder of His sovereignty over all creation. The Certainty of Divine JusticeThe imagery of tearing and carrying away signifies the certainty and severity of God's judgment against sin. It calls believers to live in reverence and obedience. The Call to RepentanceUnderstanding the context of Hosea, this verse serves as a call to repentance. God's judgment is not arbitrary but a response to persistent unfaithfulness. The Hope of RestorationWhile the verse speaks of judgment, the broader account of Hosea includes themes of restoration and hope, pointing to God's desire for reconciliation. The Role of Prophetic WarningsProphets like Hosea were sent to warn God's people. This highlights the importance of heeding God's warnings in Scripture today. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of God as a lion in Hosea 5:14 shape your understanding of His character? 2. In what ways can the certainty of God's judgment motivate us to live righteously today? 3. How does the message of Hosea 5:14 relate to the broader theme of repentance found throughout the Bible? 4. What parallels can you draw between the judgment described in Hosea and the warnings given in the New Testament? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Hosea 5:14 to our personal lives and communities in terms of faithfulness and obedience to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Amos 3:8The lion's roar is a metaphor for God's voice of judgment, emphasizing the certainty and power of His pronouncements. Isaiah 31:4Similar imagery of a lion is used to describe God's protection and His fierce determination to accomplish His purposes. Revelation 5:5The lion of the tribe of Judah, referring to Jesus, connects the imagery of a lion to both judgment and redemption. People Benjamin, Hosea, Israelites, JarebPlaces Assyria, Beth-aven, Gibeah, Mizpah, Ramah, TaborTopics Bear, Carry, Deliver, Deliverer, Ephraim, E'phraim, Helper, Judah, Lion, Myself, None, Pieces, Rend, Rescue, Tear, WoundsDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 5:14 6738 rescue Hosea 5:13-15 7233 Israel, northern kingdom Library 'Physicians of no Value'
'When Ephralm saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to Assyria, and sent to king Jareb: but he is not able to heal you, neither shall he cure you of your wound.'--HOSEA v. 13 (R.V.). The long tragedy which ended in the destruction of the Northern Kingdom by Assyrian invasion was already beginning to develop in Hosea's time. The mistaken politics of the kings of Israel led them to seek an ally where they should have dreaded an enemy. As Hosea puts it in figurative fashion, Ephraim's …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureAn Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot The Call and Feast of Levi
"And He went forth again by the seaside; and all the multitude resorted unto Him, and He taught them. And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and He saith unto him, Follow Me. And he arose and followed Him. And it came to pass, that He was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and His disciples: for there were many, and they followed Him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that He was eating with the …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark That None Should Enter on a Place of Government who Practise not in Life what they have Learnt by Study.
There are some also who investigate spiritual precepts with cunning care, but what they penetrate with their understanding they trample on in their lives: all at once they teach the things which not by practice but by study they have learnt; and what in words they preach by their manners they impugn. Whence it comes to pass that when the shepherd walks through steep places, the flock follows to the precipice. Hence it is that the Lord through the prophet complains of the contemptible knowledge …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Ripe for Gathering
'Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. 2. And He said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the Lord unto me, The end is come upon My people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. 3. And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord God: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. 4. Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Meditations for the Sick.
Whilst thy sickness remains, use often, for thy comfort, these few meditations, taken from the ends wherefore God sendeth afflictions to his children. Those are ten. 1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruptions, and so prevent us from falling into many other sins, which otherwise we would commit; like a good father, who suffers his tender babe to scorch his finger in a candle, that he may the rather learn to beware …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Of Civil Government.
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. This chapter consists of two principal heads,--I. General discourse on the necessity, dignity, and use of Civil Government, in opposition to the frantic proceedings of the Anabaptists, sec. 1-3. II. A special exposition of the three leading parts of which Civil Government consists, sec. 4-32. The first part treats of the function of Magistrates, whose authority and calling is proved, sec. 4-7. Next, the three Forms of civil government are added, sec. 8. Thirdly, Consideration …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted.
1. Absurd fictions of opponents first refuted, and then certain passages of Scripture explained. Answer by a negative. Confirmation of the answer. 2. Another absurdity of Aristotle and Pelagius. Answer by a distinction. Answer fortified by passages from Augustine, and supported by the authority of an Apostle. 3. Third absurdity borrowed from the words of Chrysostom. Answer by a negative. 4. Fourth absurdity urged of old by the Pelagians. Answer from the works of Augustine. Illustrated by the testimony …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Hosea 5:14 NIVHosea 5:14 NLTHosea 5:14 ESVHosea 5:14 NASBHosea 5:14 KJV
Hosea 5:14 Commentaries
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