Hosea

Hosea 13: God’s Power Over Death Collin Leong.  January 1, 2026 (v1-16) The LORD's Relentless Judgment on Israel (v1-3) When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel, but he incurred guilt through Baal and died. And now they sin more and more, and make for themselves metal images, idols skillfully made of their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of them, "Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!" Therefore they shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that goes early away, like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or like smoke from a window. Exp:  In v1 , Ephraim is both a tribe and a symbol for Israel as a whole. The trembling shows its former prestige and authority, but Hosea emphasizes that this exalted position collapsed under idolatry. In v2 , the phrase "Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!" is a critique of Israel's idolatry. This may refer to 2 Kings 17:17 , where it spoke about Isr...

Hosea 12: God’s Indictment Against Deceitful Worship Collin Leong. December 31, 2025 (v1-14) The LORD's Indictment of Israel and Judah (v1) Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.  Exp: "Feeding on the wind" means chasing after nothing , like grasping air. (Ecclesiastes 1:14,17 - "chasing after the wind." ) The "east wind" in the middle east was notorious for being hot, dry, and damaging to crops. It wasn’t just useless—it was actively harmful. The "oil" possibly referring to Olive oil, which is a valuable agricultural products, used for food, lighting, medicine, and religious rituals. Olive oil represented wealth and surplus in Israel’s economy. (v2-6) The LORD has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways and his deeds. In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood...

Hosea 11: God's Compassion For Israel Collin Leong. Dec 30, 2025 (v1-7) Out of Egypt I Call My Son (v1-2) When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.  Exp: When God said He called his son out of Egypt, He meant Israel as His son, where Moses brought them out from Egypt. However, Matthew 2:15 said about Jesus: “This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’”   Matthew uses typology —Israel’s experience foreshadows Jesus’ life.  Jesus embodies Israel’s role as God’s true Son, succeeding where Israel failed. (v3-4) Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke of their jaws, and I bent down to them and ...

Hosea 10: Joy Apart From God Is Empty Collin Leong. December 29, 2025 (v1-15) Retribution for Israel's Sin (v1-2) Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars. Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.  (v3-4) Surely now they will say, "We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us?" They speak mere words; with false oaths they make covenants. So judgement springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.  Exp: in v3 , the people aren’t saying “we don’t want a king”. Instead, they’re acknowledging the futility of kingship in their current situation. Because they have abandoned the LORD, their kings are powerless to save them. (v5-8) The people of Samaria tremble for the calf of Beth-aven. The people mour...

Hosea 9: God’s Love Withdrawn Collin Leong. 26/12/2025 (v1-17) Israel's Punishment (v1-3) Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations, for you have played the harlot against your God; you have made love for hire on every threshing floor. The threshing floor and winepress will not feed them, and the new wine will fail them. They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.  (v4-6) They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD, and their sacrifices will not please Him, but will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat will be defiled. For their bread will be for themselves; it will not enter the house of the LORD. What will you do on the appointed day, on the day of the LORD's feast? For even if they flee destruction, Egypt will gather them and Memphis will bury them. Their precious silver will be taken over by thistles, and thorns will overrun their tents.  Exp: In v5 , Hosea is saying ...

Hosea 8: Estrangement from God’s Word Collin Leong. Dec 24, 2025 (v1-14) Israel Will Reap The Whirlwind (v1-2) Set the trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture is over the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law. To me they cry "My God, we Israel know you." Israel has spurned the good; the enemy shall pursue him.  Exp: The trumpet is a warning signal of imminent judgement, while vulture (or eagle)  symbolizes the swift and predatory enemy—most likely Assyria—hovering over Israel because of their covenant-breaking rebellion (v3-6) They made kings but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction. I have spurned your call, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? For it is from Israel, a craftsman made it, not God. The call of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.  Exp: In v6 , the craftsman represent...