Hosea 11 WBT
Summary: In one of the book's most tender passages, the LORD recalls his fatherly love for Israel from its infancy: "when Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son" (v. 1), teaching Ephraim to walk and healing him, yet the more he was called, the more Israel turned to Baal and idols. Despite this, God's compassion overrules his impulse toward wrath — "how can I give you up, Ephraim? ... my heart recoils within me" (v. 8) — because he is God and not a man. The chapter closes with a promise that the exiled will one day return trembling like birds from Egypt and Assyria to their homes.
1When 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 to Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
3I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
4I 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 food for them.
5He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
6And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.
7And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].
8How 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? my heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
9I will not execute the fierceness of my 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.
10They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
11They 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.
12Ephraim encompasseth me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
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