When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the Lord.
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
Hosea 11 poignantly reveals the depth of God's love for Israel, even in the face of their persistent rebellion. This chapter is an emotional portrayal of divine affection intertwined with the consequences of disobedience. It showcases the tension between God's justice and His unwavering compassion, a central theme in the book of Hosea and relevant for all who seek to understand God's character.
A Father's Love for His Child (Hosea 11:1-4)
The chapter opens with a powerful declaration of God's enduring love: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son" (Hosea 11:1). This "childhood" refers to Israel's early beginnings, particularly their journey into Egypt (Genesis 46:3-27). As a small family, fewer than a hundred people, they entered Egypt with God's promise to become a great nation. The phrase "Out of Egypt I called my son" echoes the Exodus, when God dramatically delivered His people from slavery. Matthew, in his Gospel, saw this prophecy ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, God's true Son, who also sojourned in Egypt (Matthew 2:15).
God's love is further illustrated through the image of a caring parent: He taught them to walk, healed them, and led them "with cords of kindness, with bands of love" (Hosea 11:3-4). He provided for their needs, nurturing them like a devoted father would a beloved child.
Rebellion and its Consequences (Hosea 11:2, 5-7)
Despite God's loving care and deliverance, Israel turned away from Him. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned offerings to idols (Hosea 11:2), demonstrating their unfaithfulness. This rejection of God's covenant love had inevitable consequences. Punishment and captivity were unavoidable (Hosea 11:5-6), not because God is vengeful, but because His people were determined to turn away from Him (Hosea 11:7). Holy justice demanded action.
God's Heart of Compassion (Hosea 11:8-9)
However, the chapter takes a dramatic turn as God's heart wrestles with His own judgment. "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?" (Hosea 11:8). This rhetorical question reveals the depth of God's emotional struggle. Any parent can relate to the pain of considering the loss of a child.
The Lord then declares, "My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused" (Hosea 11:8). He contrasts Israel's fate with that of Admah and Zeboiim, sister cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, all of which were utterly destroyed because of their wickedness (Deuteronomy 29:23). The thought of such destruction befalling His beloved people stirs His compassion. God, in His grace, vows, "I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man" (Hosea 11:9). God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). His grace toward sinners is a result of His own unmerited kindness and love.
Hope for the Future (Hosea 11:10-12)
While Hosea elsewhere compares God to a lion who will attack Israel for their sins (Hosea 5:14; 13:7), here the comparison is positive. "They shall walk after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west" (Hosea 11:10). Though He will punish His people for their faithlessness (Hosea 11:12), He will bring a remnant back from exile and settle them in their homes (Hosea 11:11). This speaks of a future restoration, a hopeful return to God's favor.
Hosea 11 offers a profound glimpse into the heart of God, demonstrating His unwavering love, even amidst rebellion. It serves as a reminder that even when we stray, God's compassion and promises of restoration remain. This chapter encourages us to reflect on our own relationship with God and to embrace His grace and forgiveness.
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the Lord.
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
Hosea 11 poignantly reveals the depth of God's love for Israel, even in the face of their persistent rebellion. This chapter is an emotional portrayal of divine affection intertwined with the consequences of disobedience. It showcases the tension between God's justice and His unwavering compassion, a central theme in the book of Hosea and relevant for all who seek to understand God's character.
A Father's Love for His Child (Hosea 11:1-4)
The chapter opens with a powerful declaration of God's enduring love: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son" (Hosea 11:1). This "childhood" refers to Israel's early beginnings, particularly their journey into Egypt (Genesis 46:3-27). As a small family, fewer than a hundred people, they entered Egypt with God's promise to become a great nation. The phrase "Out of Egypt I called my son" echoes the Exodus, when God dramatically delivered His people from slavery. Matthew, in his Gospel, saw this prophecy ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, God's true Son, who also sojourned in Egypt (Matthew 2:15).
God's love is further illustrated through the image of a caring parent: He taught them to walk, healed them, and led them "with cords of kindness, with bands of love" (Hosea 11:3-4). He provided for their needs, nurturing them like a devoted father would a beloved child.
Rebellion and its Consequences (Hosea 11:2, 5-7)
Despite God's loving care and deliverance, Israel turned away from Him. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned offerings to idols (Hosea 11:2), demonstrating their unfaithfulness. This rejection of God's covenant love had inevitable consequences. Punishment and captivity were unavoidable (Hosea 11:5-6), not because God is vengeful, but because His people were determined to turn away from Him (Hosea 11:7). Holy justice demanded action.
God's Heart of Compassion (Hosea 11:8-9)
However, the chapter takes a dramatic turn as God's heart wrestles with His own judgment. "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?" (Hosea 11:8). This rhetorical question reveals the depth of God's emotional struggle. Any parent can relate to the pain of considering the loss of a child.
The Lord then declares, "My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused" (Hosea 11:8). He contrasts Israel's fate with that of Admah and Zeboiim, sister cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, all of which were utterly destroyed because of their wickedness (Deuteronomy 29:23). The thought of such destruction befalling His beloved people stirs His compassion. God, in His grace, vows, "I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man" (Hosea 11:9). God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). His grace toward sinners is a result of His own unmerited kindness and love.
Hope for the Future (Hosea 11:10-12)
While Hosea elsewhere compares God to a lion who will attack Israel for their sins (Hosea 5:14; 13:7), here the comparison is positive. "They shall walk after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west" (Hosea 11:10). Though He will punish His people for their faithlessness (Hosea 11:12), He will bring a remnant back from exile and settle them in their homes (Hosea 11:11). This speaks of a future restoration, a hopeful return to God's favor.
Hosea 11 offers a profound glimpse into the heart of God, demonstrating His unwavering love, even amidst rebellion. It serves as a reminder that even when we stray, God's compassion and promises of restoration remain. This chapter encourages us to reflect on our own relationship with God and to embrace His grace and forgiveness.