1. Ephraim forgot God (1-8)

When Israel worshiped God, she was an influential nation. When Israel worshiped Baal, she died, first spiritually, then nationally. God had brought them out of Egypt and cared for them in the desert. He is their only Savior; but the people forgot as soon as they were fed and were satisfied, and now punishment was coming on them. We must remember the first commandment, that there is no God but the Lord, no Savior except him.

2. God punishes and God redeems (9-16)

Northern Israel was finally destroyed because they set themselves against their only helper, God. Kings and princes could not save them. Trouble came upon their nation like birth pains, but they had forgotten how to respond by turning to God. Their nation was doomed to fall. But God can save a people even when they are already destroyed, because he has resurrection power. By faith, we can even mock the power of the grave, as Apostle Paul did (1Co 15:55).