Hosea 11

Gods love and and kindness to Israel, since their being in Egypt, with prophesie inter woven of Christ opposed to their disobedience, idolatry, unthankfulness, and, obstinacie verse 1,2,3,4,7. wherefore they should be carried to Assyria , and tyrannously dealt woth, 5,6. A promise of graciously mivigating the punishment, and Israel conversion to Christ, by the preaching of the Gospel 8, etc.

1. When Israel was a child, [see of the Hebr. word Jer 1. on verse 6. the meaning is, when i first chose Israel to be my people, and made a Covenant with them. Compare Jeremiah 2:2 and see the annotat there.] then i loved him: and i have called my son out of Egypt; [bringing him forth by divine power out of the slavery of Egypt, through the wilderness into the land of promise. By his son is meant Israel, whom God frequently, but especially Exodus 4:22. by Moseh, in his speech to Pharao, doth call his son, yea, his first born, which place may compare with this, But that under these words there lies further hid a prophecie, touching only forgotten Son of the Father, our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ, the Head of all the spiritual Israel, his Church, appeareth clearly by Math 2. 15, Oth Israel being a child, which i loved, therefore i called my son forth out of Egypt: or though Israel be a child, yet do i love him; therefore i called &c. understand the first cause of Israel want of understanding and dullness and the second of Christ alone, whom the Father had called out of Egypt, for to execute the work of the Redemption in Judea Oth. thus, Because he is called my son out of Egypt: understanding both causes of Christ

2. (But as) [This is inserted here for the compleating of the sense, agreeing with the particle so in the sequel See Psal. 48. on verse 6.] they called them, so they went away from their face; [i.e. from the face of the Prophets, which called them to God; the sense is; the more Moseh and other true servants of God did call upon the Israelites to keep close to their God, and to cleave unto him, the more did they on the contrarie turn away from God, even in the sight of those good Prophets, unto all manner of the idolatry, turning their back to God and his messengers, and lending them but a deaf ear all their exhortations. Compare below vers. 7. and chapter 4.7.] they did offer to the Baals, and burnt incense to the carved images.

3. I nevertheless, taught Ephraim to go , [i.e. i taught him how to set and use his feet, a a mother doth with her child] he took them upon his arms, [these are the Prophets words, which he inserts here, between God, as if he had said; it is very true indeed, that he took them up and carried them upon his arms, as a father or mother and carried them upon his arms, as a father or mother do their child (see above v. 1.) especially being weary of going. See Exodus 19:4. Deuteronomy 1:31. and 32.11, 12 Isa 63, 9. and Moseh, Num 11, 12 Oth And i took the their (Heb. his) arm: there being the like enter change to the singular and plural used in the sequel] but they acknowledge not, that bealed them .[i.e. that in all their streights and troubles i did sweetly and familiarly assist and deliver them Psal 30. on vers 3. and c. compare above chapter 7 1 and Exod 15 vers. 26]

4. I drew them with cords of men, with cordages of love [i.e with such as man are or may be drawn with withall, kindly, sweetly, as one may well indure with out hurt, or annoyance. Compare the phrase with 2 Sam. 7. verse. 14 Isaiah 8:1. These words do very lively set out the sweetness, kindness and long suffering or forbearance of God in leading of his people] and was unto them, as those that lift up the yoke from off their cheeks. [understanding that part of the yoke or muzzle, which bears much upon the cheek of the beasts while the labor, and which man used to remove, or lift up when there are to rest or feed: so, will God say, have i also dealt with Israel, giving the mush ease and the rest and food and followeth] and i reached forth fodder unto him. [viz. Ephraim. Heb. i caused meat, or , eating to encline to him: that is, as we used to say, i reached it to him not withstanding all this they were so disobedience to him, as is related in the foregoing and following words; therefore etc.]

5. He [viz. Ephraim] shall not return into the land of Egypt, but Assur, he shall be his King: [although they rather which to return into Egypt, and shall also effectually descend thither for help and shelter against the Assyrians yet it shall be all in vain; the generality of the Ten Tribes shall be carried away by the Assyrian out of their own Land, and the more grievously plagued there then they were before in Egypt. See above chap 8 vers. 13 and 9.6. and the annotat. there, and c. compare above chapter 10 on verse 9.] because they refused to repent.

6. And the sword [ i.e war with all its train and consequences, see Lev 26 on verse 7 and Psal. on verse. 21 shall abide in his [Ephraim's] cities, and devour and eat up the bars thereof; [Oth. members i.e. the parts and members of his Country, devouring and swallowing up the same, as a savage beast its prey: or his branches,(Ezekiel 17:6.) i.e villages, laying abroad in the open Country, and being in respect of the Cities, as so many branch thereof] by reason of their consultations. [see above chapter 10 on verse 6.]

7. For my people adhereth to the turn away from me: [ Heb to my turning away i.e. to the turning away, or back-sliding, whereby they are continually running away from me, or while they practice against me, Oth. bang [viz. in uncertanity and and doubtfulness) for their turning away from me i.e. they no not which way to turn them selves, running now this, now that way: both in good sense] they [viz. the Prophets. compare above verse 2. and chap 7. 16.] call it in deed [i.e. they call my people. Oth they call him indeed upwards] unto the most high, but no one exalts (Him) [i.e. no man. see of the like use of the Heb, word as Ezr.4 on verse 3. Oth (people) doth not together exalt him i.e they do not owner Him in their assemblies. Him i.e. the most High, that they should give him the glory of their repenting, and seeking for comfort and assistance from Him: or, of givingg thanks unto him for his mercy; or exalts or lift up himself i.e. nun bestirs Himself or puts himself in a posture to hear and hearken, as good observers used to do, shewing by their out wards behavour of the body, the inwards motions and stirrings of the heart.]

8. How should i give up or Ephraim; deliver thee up or Israel? how should i make thee as Adama? put thee as Zeboim? [understand withall, and as the other neighboring Cities] my heart is turned about within me. [spoken of God, after the manner of man in some sought to set forth the greatness and incomprehensibleness of his compassions. See Lamentations 1:20. Genesis 43:30. 1 Kins 2. 26] my repenting is kindled together [Heb. as if one should say, my repenting's or repentanesses, or, comfortablenesses are burning together Oth . my bowels etc. God is said to repent, when he with holds, metigates or removes the deserved and treatned punishments, consequently by repentance here may be be understood the compassions and the bowels wit through compassion are warmed, affected and moved. See Gen on verse 6 and 243 and on verse 30. The whole verse, implieth; though he had well deserved, i should destroy all at once like Sodom Gomorra, etc, Gen 19, 24 Deuteronomy 29:23.. but the compassion and faithfulness, which i promised you in the Messiah (whereof in the sequel) do not suffer me so to do)

9. I will not execute the hit of my wrath, i will not return to destroy Israel [i.e. i will not do so again now unto Israel, artaly to destroy him, as once i did the foresaid cities; compare Isaiah 12:6. and 54.5. Ezekiel 16:53. with the annotat.] for i am God [i.e. true and unchangable in my promises, Numbers 23:19 Malachi 3:6 and c.] and no man the Holy (one) in the midsts of you; [see Psal 71. 22and consequently, i will keep yet a people from my self to remain among you, and sanctifie them, for to serve me, and see. Compare Ezekiel 16:60] and i shall not come into the Citie. [viz. as an enemy which entireth the same and destroy all things in it: or as in former time i come into the city of Sodom for to destroy it as verse 8 which agreath with the words forgoing, i will not return, or come again. see the annotat there. Oth. i shall not come into the city i.e. i shall deal no more in any material places but in your hearts. Compare Job 4:21.]

10. They shall walk after the Lord, [viz. Jesus Christ the Messiah there head and King. compare above chap 3. 5] he shall row like a lion; [by the publike, clear and powerful preaching of the gospel, whereby e shall call his elect together, as a lion yong ones as followeths,; compare Isaiah 27:13. Amos 3:8. Again; whereby e shall not publish unto His, his act of grace but also unto his and his church's enemies, his virgins and Conquests especially of all their spiritual enemies whom he as a true lion of Juda, shall subdue and lead in Triumph, see Gen 49 on verse 9 and Revelation 5:5. Colossians 2:15 and compare father Isaiah 31:4.5. Joel 3:16 Amos 1:2.] when he shall wrow them shall the children, [i.e. the elect whom the father gave him John 17:6 Hebrews 2:13] come on trembling from the sea. [Heb shall tremble (or shake) from the sea or from te west, i,e come and approach trembling, to his and His Church's Communion . Compare Isaiah 24:14. and 49.12. above chapter 3.5 and see the annotat and saw in the next verse, concerning the phrase trembling or shaking, forgoing or coming in a trembling manner: compare first Sam 13.7 and 16.4]

11. They shall come on trembling, as a bird [Nimbly flying a food, or to her nest, or to escape the fowlers net] out of Egypt, [i.e. in all places where forever they are scattered they shall eagerly repair and adhere to him, that delivers them out of Egypt and Assyria, i.e out of the slaverie of sin and satan. Compare Isa 27,13. Zach 10. 10] and as a dove [see Isa 68] out of the land of Assur: and i will cause them to dwell in their houses speaketh the LORD. [i.e. in the Prophets stile i will plant them in my church, and give them rest and piece in there conseciences through Christ, and after this life their place in the Heavenly habitations see above chapter 2. 13, 17. with the annotat and below chap 12.10.]