Hosea 11

Hosea 11:1

11:1 When Israel \ [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

(a) While the Israelites were in Egypt, and did not provoke my wrath by their malice and ingratitude.

Hosea 11:2

11:2 [As] they called them, so they \ went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

(b) They rebelled and went a contrary way when the Prophets called them to repentance.

Hosea 11:4

11:4 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.

(c) That is, friendly, and not as beasts or slaves.

Hosea 11:5

11:5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his \ king, because they refused to return.

(d) Seeing that they condemn all this kindness, they will be led captive into Assyria.

Hosea 11:7

11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though \ they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

(e) That is, the Prophets.

Hosea 11:8

11:8 \ 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.

(f) God considers with himself, and that with a certain grief, how to punish them. (g) Which were two of the cities that were destroyed with Sodom; Deuteronomy 29:23 . (h) Meaning that his love with which he first loved them positioned him between doubt and assurance in terms of what to do: and in this appears his Fatherly affection, that his mercy toward his own will overcome his judgments, as he declares in the next verse.

Hosea 11:9

11:9 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.

(i) To consume you, but will cause you to yield, and so have mercy on you: and this is meant of the final number who will walk after the Lord.

Hosea 11:11

11:11 \ 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.

(k) The Egyptians and the Assyrians will be afraid when the Lord maintains his people.

Hosea 11:12

11:12 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.

(l) Governs their state according to God’s word, and does not degenerate.