EGW WritingsHosea 13

Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]

MR No. 1556—Church Leader to Be Self-Denying and Humble, Not Proud and Dictatorial

21MR 278.3

“When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died” (Hosea 13:1). Just as long as you seek the Lord earnestly, and humble yourself before Him as a little child, He will use you to the glory of His name. But when self-sufficiency takes possession of any minister, when he dictates to his brethren and acts in a masterly manner as though he could read hearts; when he feels it his prerogative to praise or censure as he pleases, let him know that the Lord is not working with him, but Satan has the mind and heart under his control.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 19, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 19, 1901, par. 53

“When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.” [Hosea 13:1.] Just as long as you seek the Lord earnestly and humble yourself before Him as a little child, He will use you to the glory of His name. But when self-sufficiency takes possession of any minister, when he dictates to his brethren and acts in a masterly manner as though he could read hearts, when he feels it his prerogative to praise or censure as he pleases, let him know that the Lord is not working with him, <but Satan has the mind and heart under his control.>

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 88, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 88, 1902, par. 7

I beg of you, my brother and sister, not to mar your record as you have been doing. Unless you change, you cannot be fit temples for the Holy Spirit. The Lord is soon to come. Do you not desire to be among the overcomers? The Lord will help you both just as long as you keep humble and contrite in spirit. “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a humble and contrite spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” [Isaiah 57:15.] “When Ephraim spake tremblingly, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.” [Hosea 13:1.]

The Kress Collection

Unity Among Believers

KC 112.6

“When Ephraim spoke tremblingly, he exalted himself in Israel, and when he offended in Bethel, he died, and now they sin more and more ...[”] (Hosea 13:1-4.)

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 117a, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 117a, 1901, par. 66

“When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel, but when he offended in Baal, he died. ... According to their pasture, so were they filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.” [Hosea 13:1, 6.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 34, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 34, 1900, par. 30

“When Ephraim spoke tremblingly, he exalted himself in Israel, and when he offended in Baal, he died. And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of craftsmen; ... Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney. Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt; and thou shalt know no god but me; for there is no saviour beside me.” [Hosea 13:1-4.]

15LtMs, Ms 34, 1900, par. 31

“O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help.” [Verse 9.] “Return unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn unto the Lord; say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. ... I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. ... Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.” [Hosea 14:1, 2, 4, 5, 9.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 46, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 46, 1901, par. 8

“When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. ... O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. I will be thy king; where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?” [Hosea 13:1, 9, 10.] “O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord; say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously; so will we render the calves of our lips. ... I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him.” [Hosea 14:1, 2, 4.]

Testimony for the Church — No. 27

Jeremiah.

T27 42.1

He entreated them to hear the words that he spoke. He cited them to the prophecies of Hosea, Habakuk, Zephaniah, and others whose messages of reproof and warning had been similar to his own. He referred them to events which had transpired in their history in fulfillment of the prophecies of retribution for unrepented sins. Sometimes, as in this case, men had arisen in opposition to the message of God, and predicted peace and prosperity, to quiet the fears of the people, and gain the favor of those in high places. But in every past instance the judgment of God had been visited upon Israel, as the true prophets had indicated. Said he “The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known that the Lord hath truly sent him.” If Israel chose to run the risk, future developments would effectually decide which was the false prophet.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 82, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 82, 1895, par. 1

Sabbath, October 19, the gathering at the tent was larger than we expected, as in the forenoon meetings were held by our people in the different churches. Hereafter all will come to the ground on Sabbath and Sunday. In the forenoon Brother Corliss spoke from Hosea words that were full of instruction. I spoke in the afternoon from the fourth [chapter] of John: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [Verse 10.]

The Review and Herald

February 5, 1914

RH February 5, 1914, par. 7

“O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee?” Hosea 13:9, 10.

RH February 5, 1914, par. 14

The evils that had overspread the land and permeated all classes of society, had become incurable, and upon Israel was pronounced the dread sentence, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Hosea 4:17. “The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it.” Hosea 9:7. “They shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.” Hosea 13:3.

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 64—A Doomed People

DA 583.2

Jesus had come to the fig tree hungry, to find food. So He had come to Israel, hungering to find in them the fruits of righteousness. He had lavished on them His gifts, that they might bear fruit for the blessing of the world. Every opportunity and privilege had been granted them, and in return He sought their sympathy and co-operation in His work of grace. He longed to see in them self-sacrifice and compassion, zeal for God, and a deep yearning of soul for the salvation of their fellow men. Had they kept the law of God, they would have done the same unselfish work that Christ did. But love to God and man was eclipsed by pride and self-sufficiency. They brought ruin upon themselves by refusing to minister to others. The treasures of truth which God had committed to them, they did not give to the world. In the barren tree they might read both their sin and its punishment. Withered beneath the Saviour’s curse, standing forth sere and blasted, dried up by the roots, the fig tree showed what the Jewish people would be when the grace of God was removed from them. Refusing to impart blessing, they would no longer receive it. “O Israel,” the Lord says, “thou hast destroyed thyself.” Hosea 13:9.

DA 588.2

Christ foresaw that Jerusalem would remain obdurate and impenitent; yet all the guilt, all the consequences of rejected mercy, lay at her own door. Thus it will be with every soul who is following the same course. The Lord declares, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself.” “Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto My words, nor to My law, but rejected it.” Hosea 13:9; Jeremiah 6:19.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 32, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 32, 1898, par. 10

The law of God, the transcript of His character, if correctly observed with heart obedience, would have produced altogether a different influence; but vain glory, selfishness, oppression, marked the character of the Jews. They were proudly displaying their ceremonies before the very face of Christ, who was the foundation and center of the whole Jewish economy, while they rejected the substance of all their ceremonies, and were so blinded by Satan that they knew not the day of their visitation. The antitype of all their types, the substance of all their shadows, was among them, and they knew it not. And God declared of them, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself.” [Hosea 13:9.]

13LtMs, Ms 32, 1898, par. 17

So will come the test upon the Sabbath question. The idol sabbath, which nearly all Christendom has exalted as a day to be worshipped, has not one particle of sanctity in it. It was not a “Thus saith the Lord.” And to the people who trample upon that day which God has sanctified and blessed, Christ says as He did of the Jewish nation, “Thou hast destroyed thyself.” [Hosea 13:9.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 30, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 30, 1900, par. 12

Church members, who have seen the light and been convicted, but who have trusted the salvation of their souls to the minister, will learn in the day of God that no other soul can pay the ransom for their transgression. A terrible cry will be raised, “I am lost, eternally lost.” Men will feel as though they could rend in pieces the ministers who have preached falsehoods and condemned the truth. The pure truth for this time requires a reformation in the life, but they separate themselves from the love of the truth, and of them it can be said, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself.” The Lord sends a message to the people: “Set a trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant and trespassed against my law.” [Hosea 13:9; 8:1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 18, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 18, 1901, par. 19

Notwithstanding the unbelief of some, God has given the work in Australia prosperity far beyond the expectation. Let none now make the Lord ashamed of them because of their unbelief. Sloth and despondency will accomplish nothing. Entanglements in secular business are sometimes permitted by God to stir the sluggish faculties to more than common action, that he may honor faith by the bestowal of rich blessings. This is a means of advancing His work. But those who are without faith will never learn. By unbelief they dishonor their Lord. Unless they are converted, they will make shipwreck of their faith. They stand in the way of advancement, and this the Lord will not tolerate. He desires His people, even in the darkest shadow, to trust in Him. Satan is permitted to throw his shadow across their pathway, that their dormant faith may be aroused to pierce the cloud and find light and courage and life beyond. Those who do not do this choose darkness instead of light. Constantly they weave unbelief into the web. They do nothing to recommend the religion of Christ, for they have no light or peace or joy in the Lord. Their spiritual light is dim, and life grows darker and darker. They talk darkness. They pour out the flood of their unbelief, and chill themselves to death. They give up the faith, and then blame others for their ruin. But in the books of heaven it is written, “Thou hast destroyed thyself.” [Hosea 13:9.]

The Great Controversy

Chapter 1—The Destruction of Jerusalem

GC 35.3

The Jews had forged their own fetters; they had filled for themselves the cup of vengeance. In the utter destruction that befell them as a nation, and in all the woes that followed them in their dispersion, they were but reaping the harvest which their own hands had sown. Says the prophet: “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself;” “for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” Hosea 13:9; 14:1. Their sufferings are often represented as a punishment visited upon them by the direct decree of God. It is thus that the great deceiver seeks to conceal his own work. By stubborn rejection of divine love and mercy, the Jews had caused the protection of God to be withdrawn from them, and Satan was permitted to rule them according to his will. The horrible cruelties enacted in the destruction of Jerusalem are a demonstration of Satan’s vindictive power over those who yield to his control.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 1—Destruction of Jerusalem

GC88 36.1

The Jews had forged their own fetters; they had filled for themselves the cup of vengeance. In the utter destruction that befell them as a nation, and in all the woes that followed them in their dispersion, they were but reaping the harvest which their own hands had sown. Says the prophet, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself;” “for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” [Hosea 13:9; 14:1.] Their sufferings are often represented as a punishment visited upon them by the direct decree of God. It is thus that the great deceiver seeks to conceal his own work. By stubborn rejection of divine love and mercy, the Jews had caused the protection of God to be withdrawn from them, and Satan was permitted to rule them according to his will. The horrible cruelties enacted in the destruction of Jerusalem are a demonstration of Satan’s vindictive power over those who yield to his control.

From Heaven With Love

Why This One Tree Was Cursed

HLv 389.2

Jesus had come to Israel, hungering to find in them the fruits of righteousness. Every privilege had been granted them, and in return He longed to see in them self-sacrifice, compassion, and a deep yearning for the salvation of their fellowmen. But love to God and man was eclipsed by pride and self-sufficiency. The treasures of truth which God had committed to them, they did not give to the world. In the barren tree they might read both their sin and its punishment. Withered, dried up by the roots, the fig tree showed what the Jewish people would be when the grace of God was removed from them. Refusing to impart blessing, they would no longer receive it. “O Israel,” the Lord says, “thou hast destroyed thyself.” Hosea 13:9.

HLv 391.5

Christ foresaw that Jerusalem would remain impenitent, yet all the guilt lay at her own door. Thus it will be with every soul who follows the same course. The Lord declares: “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself.” “Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto My words, nor to My law, but rejected it.” Hosea 13:9; Jeremiah 6:19.

From Here to Forever

Portents of Disaster

HF 24.3

The Jews had filled for themselves the cup of vengeance. In all the woes that followed in their dispersion, they were reaping the harvest which their own hands had sown. “O Israel, thou has destroyed thyself”; “for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” Hosea 13:9; 14:1. Their sufferings are often represented as a punishment by the direct decree of God. Thus the great deceiver seeks to conceal his own work. By stubborn rejection of divine love and mercy, the Jews had caused the protection of God to be withdrawn from them.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Lt 3, 1879

3LtMs, Lt 3, 1879, par. 4

You may pursue a course to cause your mother the keenest sorrow and apprehension and may separate your sympathies from her who has loved and prayed for you and to whom you owe everything, and for what? A bold, forward girl who has not a pure heart or holy affections. Truly it may be said of you, “Thou hast destroyed thyself.” [Hosea 13:9.] Unsanctified affection has been cherished despite warning from your brethren and warnings from the servants of God. You have pursued your own course irrespective of consequences. Your heart has rebelled against your mother because she could not in any way receive Mattie Stratton or sanction the attention you gave her. No modest girl would have done as she has done. No God-fearing son, true to duty and principle, would have continued to persistently pursue the course you have done. The carnal heart has clamored for the victory.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Lt 8, 1890

6LtMs, Lt 8, 1890, par. 7

We should be careful not to harden our hearts against the warnings and admonitions of God. Manasseh’s sin was aggravated by his repeated, stubborn rejection of divine warning. “The Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.” 2 Chronicles 33:10. God has spoken to Elder Daniels in many ways and under varied circumstances. He has also spoken to you, Brother Church, but neither of you have practically accepted the blessing of correction, and He will speak to you both in chastisement that the arrow of conviction may be sent home to the soul. I desire you to consider, to think upon with patience, the forbearance of God with His guilty, daring, aggravating servants. He might cut them down in a moment. He might send them sudden disease ... [a line not readable] ... controlling power. The Lord says, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help come.” [Hosea 13:9.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 23—The Assyrian Captivity

PK 283.1

The transgressors were given many opportunities to repent. In their hour of deepest apostasy and greatest need, God’s message to them was one of forgiveness and hope. “O Israel,” He declared, “thou hast destroyed thyself; but in Me is thine help. I will be thy King: where is any other that may save thee?” Hosea 13:9, 10.

From Splendor to Shadow

Hosea’s Gracious Appeals

SS 152.3

The transgressors were given many opportunities to repent. In their hour of deepest apostasy God’s message was one of forgiveness and hope. “O Israel,” He declared, “thou hast destroyed thyself; but in Me is thine help. I will be thy King: where is any other that may save thee?” Hosea 13:9, 10. “Come, and let us return unto the Lord,” the prophet entreated, “for He hath torn, and He will heal us ... . Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 58, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 58, 1901, par. 25

“O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help. I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?” [Hosea 13:9, 10.]

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 59—The First King of Israel

PP 605.3

The Lord had, through His prophets, foretold that Israel would be governed by a king; but it does not follow that this form of government was best for them or according to His will. He permitted the people to follow their own choice, because they refused to be guided by His counsel. Hosea declares that God gave them a king in His anger. Hosea 13:11. When men choose to have their own way, without seeking counsel from God, or in opposition to His revealed will, He often grants their desires, in order that, through the bitter experience that follows, they may be led to realize their folly and to repent of their sin. Human pride and wisdom will prove a dangerous guide. That which the heart desires contrary to the will of God will in the end be found a curse rather than a blessing.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 360, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 360, 1905, par. 12

“The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up, his sin is hid. ... Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up; he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.” [Hosea 13:12, 15.] The Lord says to you and to all who look upon themselves as superior to their brethren, “Return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord.” [Hosea 14:1, 2.]

In Heavenly Places

Breaking the Power of Death, February 7

HP 44.1

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction. Hosea 13:14.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 19—A Prophet of Peace

PK 240.1

Jesus comforts our sorrow for the dead with a message of infinite hope: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.” Hosea 13:14. “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, ... and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18. “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 77, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 77, 1906, par. 11

Christ is our Deliverer. He exclaims, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave. I will redeem them from death. O death, I will be thy plagues! O grave, I will be thy destruction!” [Hosea 13:14.] Thrice in rapid succession He exclaimed, “I will raise them up at the last day.” [John 6:40, 44, 54.] Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of that day, saying, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints, to execute judgment upon all.” [Jude 14, 15.] And Solomon, when in the capacity of a preacher he tried to present the strongest motive to holy obedience—the motive that was above that was above all estimate in view of the judgment to come—said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” [Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14.]