Logo - Feel The Words
DRC

Hosea Chapter 11 (DRC)

minutes - words.
Hosea 11 - God's Fatherly Love for Israel
Tap a verse to highlight it

1 As the morning passeth, so hath the king of Israel passed away. Because Israel was a child, and I loved him: and I called my son out of Egypt.

2 As they called them, they went away from before their face: they offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols.

3 And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my arms: and they knew not that I healed them.

4 I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love: and I will be to them as one that taketh off the yoke on their jaws: and I put his meat to him that he might eat.

5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king: because they would not be converted.

6 The sword hath begun in his cities, and it shall consume his chosen men, and shall devour their heads.

7 And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off.

8 How shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath: I will not return to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city.

10 They shall walk after the Lord, he shall roar as a lion: because he shall roar, and the children of the sea shall fear.

11 And they shall fly away like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will place them in their own houses, saith the Lord.

12 Ephraim hath compassed me about with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Juda went down as a witness with God, and is faithful with the saints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hosea 11 say about God's love for Israel?
God recalls, "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt" (v.1), teaching Ephraim to walk and drawing him "with cords of a man, with bands of love" (v.3-4) - language quoted about Jesus in Matthew 2:15.
What does verse 8 reveal about God's feelings toward Israel?
Despite their unfaithfulness, God says, "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?... mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together" - a moment of anguished reluctance to fully destroy them.
Does God promise to punish Israel forever in this chapter?
No - verse 9 says, "I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man," and verses 10-11 picture the people trembling back home like birds returning from Egypt and Assyria.

Today's Verse

And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.

Mark 1:20 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

Verse 8's anguished question, 'how shall I give thee up, Ephraim?' shows mercy overruling anger before Hosea 12 turns back to Israel's present deceit. Matthew applies the Egypt-calling of verse 1 to Jesus in Matthew 2:15.