Read Hosea 13 and 14 at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph divisions:
Hos 11:12-13:11 {p} Ephraim unwise, deceived, has forgotten God/ He will recompense them with their own ways
Hos 13:12-16 {p} Ephraim’s iniquity is bound up, I shall not ransom him: he shall fall by the sword
Hos 14:1-9 {p} The return and restoration of Israel and Ephraim to YHVH
Hos 14:1-9 chiastic structure:
1a) Hos 14:1, O Israel, return to YHVH your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
1b) Hos 14:2-3, Take words with you, and return to YHVH. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. No one else shall save us, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy;”
central axis) Hos 14:4-7, I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely/ My anger has turned away from him;
2b) Hos 14:8, “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
2a) Hos 14:9 {p} Who is wise +prudent? Let him understand + know these things/ the ways of YHVH are right; the righteous walk in them/ transgressors stumble in them.
A time was coming, which Hosea was prophesying of, when Israel will return to the LORD with words, with the sacrifices of his lips, to take away his iniquity, and not the sacrifices of bulls and goats.
John puts it this way:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins (return to the LORD with words), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity. 1 Joh 1:8-9
It is because of Messiah’s sacrifice for sin, that Israel can return to the LORD, bringing words with them instead of bulls and goats. It is Ephraim’s backsliding that the LORD will heal, so that they will return to Him with words, and reject their idols. Thank You Father!
Mrs. Miller, This is so beautiful! I am new to the chiastic structure you are pointing out. I find it most interesting. I am reading your book, Revelation Revealed, right now. I am reeling in the connection that I see between Gen. 48:19 (Ephraim’s blessing) and the “fullness of the gentiles” in Romans 11:25. You had a paragraph in your book that led me to the Genesis passage, and that has been my “jumping off point” for further study. That is what led me to look up your notes on Hosea…as it is a strong Ephraim book. Thank you for what you are sharing!!!
Thank you so very much for visiting today, and for your kind words of encouragement Debbie. May YHVH continue to bless you as you learn and grow in Him! <3