CHAPTER 11

1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. 3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. 4 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.

God, in reference to when Israel was only a very young nation, says He called them out of Egypt. They had gone there as 70, and had grown to 3.5 million. They had gone to Egypt as "free," but 400 years later were "slaves." God LOVED them, freed them, and led them to the "promised land."

Once in the promised land God sent prophets (vs 2,"they") to call Israel to repentance and to come closer to God. But the more the prophets called, the harder they turned to idolatry.

As a loving Father, God took them by their arms (vs 3) and taught them to walk. But they didn't recognize Him as their healer and providor.

God also, with compassion, "drew them with cords of a man." Like a man would lead his ox, tenderly, God led them with His Word and the prophets. God even removed the "yoke" from them so that they could partake of His "feed" more readily, and without incumberance.

5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. 6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels. 7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

But now, God was through leading them! They would return to slavery, but not in Egypt. They would be captured by Assyria (Israel fell to Assyria in 722 B.C.).

The "sword" (vs 6) came and destroyed them. Then the cities were consumed by overgrowth. They were destroyed because of their own "counsels" when they refused to return to God.

They were "backsliding," like an ox which plants his feet and pulls away from his master - rebellious (vs 7). Even though the prophets called for repentance, "none" would praise God and return to Him.

8 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. 9 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.

God loved His people, but their actions demanded punitive discipline (vs 8).

In Deuteronomy 29:23, God had prophesied through Moses that if they forsook Him, their land would be made as "Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim.."

As a loving Father, God was crying out with a last call for repentance!

Though they had brought Him so much pain, God would not "execute the fierceness" of His anger (verse 9). He is not like a man who loses His temper and destroys. God would not come to ruin all, He would save a remnant.

10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. 11 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. 12 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.

Even though God would cause them to be taken captive and bring the land to desolation, He would soon "roar" and they would be released. The image of the lion roaring is indicative of the power of God to bring His people back from the captivity. Some of them would be in Assyria, and some in Egypt. But God would bring them back when it was time.

"Ephraim" is a synonym for "Israel." At the time of Hosea's writing, Israel was immersed in idolatry, but Judah was not yet corrupted.

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