Ephraim’s iniquity is bound up; his sin is kept in store. The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son; for at the proper time he does not present himself at the mouth of the womb. Shall I ransom them from the power of Hell? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Hell, where is your destruction? Compassion is hidden from my eyes. (Hosea 13: 12-14)

Life is ambiguous. We are drawn this way and then that way. At one hour we sin. The next hour we are a hero.

What is admirable in one generation is shameful in another. What is wise in one context is foolish in a different context.

To choose between contentious options is a matter of purpose. What is our definition of success? What is the goal of our choosing?

Hosea is sure that Ephraim has chosen badly. The people of the northern kingdom have chosen self-satisfaction instead of self-sacrifice. They have chosen supposed security rather than the risk of creative opportunity. They have chosen self-justification rather than justice. They have chosen comfortable illusions rather than rigorous reality.

The colorful language of childbirth used above is not required by the Hebrew. The second sentence can also read, "Becoming causes pain. An unwise child delays at the breaking-forth."

Hosea is proclaiming a time of decision. There is still - barely - time for Ephraim to choose differently, before the natural consequences of bad choices descend.

In our choosing we bring forth, create, and cause. What will we cause today? What will we create today? Will we choose the pain of becoming what God intends?

Saint Paul quotes this passage of Hosea in First Corinthinans 15: 54-55 and offers this exegesis: "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain."