Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, for he is determined to follow worthless idols. Ephraim is oppressedThe name "Ephraim" refers to one of the tribes of Israel, often used to represent the Northern Kingdom as a whole. Historically, Ephraim was a leading tribe, but here it is described as "oppressed." The Hebrew root for "oppressed" (עָשַׁק, 'ashaq) conveys a sense of being wronged or exploited. This oppression is not merely physical but spiritual and moral, indicating the consequences of turning away from God. The historical context shows that Ephraim's alliances with foreign nations and idolatry led to their downfall, illustrating the spiritual oppression that results from abandoning God's covenant. crushed in judgment
The phrase "crushed in judgment" suggests a severe and decisive punishment. The Hebrew word for "crushed" (רָצוּץ, ratsats) implies being broken or shattered. This judgment is not arbitrary but a direct result of their actions. Biblically, judgment is often portrayed as a refining process, meant to bring about repentance and restoration. The historical context of Hosea's prophecy includes the Assyrian invasion, which was a literal crushing of the Northern Kingdom, serving as a divine judgment for their unfaithfulness. for he is determined
The word "determined" (הוּא הָלַךְ, hu halak) in Hebrew suggests a deliberate and persistent choice. Ephraim's determination is not a passive state but an active decision to pursue a path contrary to God's will. This highlights the theme of free will and the consequences of choosing to follow one's desires over divine guidance. Theologically, it underscores the importance of aligning one's will with God's to avoid spiritual ruin. to follow what is worthless
The phrase "to follow what is worthless" (אַחֲרֵי צָו, acharei tsav) indicates a pursuit of vanity or emptiness. The Hebrew word "worthless" (צָו, tsav) can also mean command or precept, suggesting that Ephraim was following false teachings or idols. This reflects the biblical theme of idolatry, where anything that takes the place of God is ultimately empty and unfulfilling. Historically, the Northern Kingdom's engagement in idol worship and reliance on foreign powers were seen as chasing after things that could not provide true security or satisfaction. This serves as a timeless warning against placing trust in anything other than God. Persons / Places / Events 1. EphraimRepresents the northern kingdom of Israel, often used synonymously with Israel in the prophetic books. Ephraim was the largest tribe and held significant influence. 2. Oppression and JudgmentThe state of being under severe distress and facing divine retribution due to disobedience and idolatry. 3. Worthless IdolsRefers to the false gods and practices that Israel pursued, leading them away from the true worship of Yahweh. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry leads to spiritual oppression and judgment. Just as Ephraim was crushed, so too can we face consequences when we prioritize anything above God. The Futility of Worthless PursuitsPursuing what is worthless, such as materialism or secular ideologies, leads to spiritual emptiness. We must evaluate our lives to ensure our pursuits align with God's will. The Call to RepentanceGod's judgment is a call to repentance. Like Ephraim, we are given opportunities to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness and guidance. The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's commands is crucial. Disobedience leads to oppression and judgment, but obedience brings blessings and peace. The Role of Prophetic WarningProphets like Hosea serve as God's messengers, warning us of the consequences of sin. We should heed these warnings and adjust our lives accordingly. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "worthless" pursuits that can lead us away from God, similar to the idols of Ephraim? 2. How can we identify areas in our lives where we might be experiencing spiritual oppression due to disobedience? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our pursuits and priorities align with God's will rather than worldly values? 4. How does the theme of repentance in Hosea 5:11 apply to our personal spiritual journey? 5. What role do prophetic warnings play in our understanding of God's expectations and how can we apply them to our lives today? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 30:12-13This passage also speaks of the consequences of relying on oppression and deceit, similar to Ephraim's pursuit of worthless things. Jeremiah 2:5Highlights the futility of following worthless idols, echoing the theme of Hosea 5:11. 2 Kings 17:15Describes Israel's rejection of God's statutes and their pursuit of idols, leading to their downfall. People Benjamin, Hosea, Israelites, JarebPlaces Assyria, Beth-aven, Gibeah, Mizpah, Ramah, TaborTopics Broken, Command, Commandment, Content, Crushed, Deceit, Determined, Ephraim, E'phraim, Filth, Follow, Idols, Intent, Judges, Judgment, Man's, Oppressed, Pleased, Pleasure, Pursuing, Pursuit, Selfwill, Trampled, Troubled, Vanity, Walk, Walked, Walking, WillinglyDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 5:10 4208 land, divine responsibility
4366 stones
5235 boundary
5477 property, land
5931 resistance 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 5:11 NIVHosea 5:11 NLTHosea 5:11 ESVHosea 5:11 NASBHosea 5:11 KJV
Hosea 5:11 Commentaries
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