Book of Hosea Chapter 8 Vs. 13

 Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind

They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt. Hos. 8:13

They sacrifice flesh... The sacrifices offered by them were eaten contrary to the law.

they shall return... Return in the sense of making alliances with, trusting in, and submitting to the Egyptians. They never did go back to Egypt as a nation; only a very small group went back after the fall of Jerusalem, and these were cursed for doing so (Jer. 43-44). Recalling the place of Israel’s former bondage, Hosea reminds them that Assyria will be their future Egypt (compare 9:3; 11:5; Deut. 28:68). A few Judean refugees actually did go to Egypt (2Kgs. 25:26). Isaiah used Sodom in a similar representative fashion (Isa 1:9-10).

accepteth them not... We mentioned in another lesson, that they were still going through the motion of worshipping God. They still sacrificed to God. Their sacrifices were unacceptable to God, because they were unfaithful to Him.

now will he... Their hearts were not with God. Christians, be careful why you go to church. Do not go because you are obligated to go. You would be committing the same sin they are committing here. We must go to church because we love God and want to fellowship with Him.

they shall return... The return to Egypt here, is symbolic of turning them back to the condition He found them in in Egypt. They were lost with no Redeemer. God sent Moses to bring them out of bondage from Egypt, now God is sending them back into bondage.

They slay burnt-offerings for Me and eat flesh. Jehovah hath no delight in them. Now must He remember their guilt and make visitation upon their sin. They-to Egypt-shall return.

Instead He would punish her for her sins by sending her into exile. Egypt stands here as a symbol for the place of future exile and bondage (cf. Hos. 9:3; 11:5; Deut. 28:68). This highlights the appropriateness of God’s judgment. In the deliverance from Egyptian bondage Israel had experienced God’s grace. Having spurned that grace, she would return to slavery.