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"Ephraim went to Assyria"

Text: Hosea 5:13

PROBLEMS AFFECTING LIFE

Problems are a very real part of life. There are all kinds of problems that we face. There are individual and family problems. There are also problems that are national. How do we respond?

“When Ephraim saw his sickness,
And Judah saw his wound,
Then Ephraim went to Assyria
And sent to King Jareb;
Yet he cannot cure you,
Nor heal you of your wound.”
Hosea 5:13

1. Ephraim and Judah

This is a reference to the two kingdoms Israel and Judah.

2. “When Ephraim saw his sickness”

a) “Sickness” was a word used to describe the things that ailed the country.

b) There were times when Israel seemed to be strong.

c) There were also periods of time when Israel was very weak.

3. “Judah saw his wound”

a) “Wound” was a word used to describe a nation that had been injured and suffering.

b) There were kings that made Judah very strong.

c) There were times when bad kings made Judah weak and vulnerable.

4. “Then Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to King Jareb”

a) There were two kings who did just that.

i) King Menahem the son of Gadi sought Assyrian help.

He paid a tribute of 1000 talents of silver to seek the help of the king of Assyria (2 Kings 15:17-20).

ii) King Hoshea the son of Elah also sought Assyria for help.

He also paid tribute money to secure help (2 Kings 17:1-3).

b) King Ahaz of Judah

He did the same thing. He approached the Assyrians for help when he was fighting Syria and Israel (2 Kings 16:7-9).

c) King Jareb

i) This may not be a personal name.

ii) It may be rendered “A contending king” (The word “Jareb” may be used adjectivally).

5. “Yet he cannot cure you, nor heal you of your wound”

a) The Assyrians may offer help for the moment.

b) But they would not have the power to cure or heal.

c) The life and strength of the nations depended on the grace and power of the LORD!