Old Testament
Hosea 11
Overview
The metaphor shifts from husband to parent as God recalls Israel's childhood: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." He taught Ephraim to walk, took them up in His arms, and led them "with cords of kindness, with bands of love." Yet the more He called, the more they turned to the Baals, so judgment looms — they will return to Egypt and Assyria. Then comes the book's most astonishing moment: God's heart "recoils" within Him, His compassion grows warm, and He refuses to execute His fierce anger, "for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst." Love, not wrath, will have the final word, and His children will come trembling home.
1When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
2As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto 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 meat unto 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? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
9I 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.
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 compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.