Hosea 11

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

Meyer comments, “This is a very tender chapter, full of moving appeals. God looks back on the happy, blessed past, as a fond parent on the innocent childhood of a son who is now causing endless pain and grief…” [1] Guthrie sees in these verses a resemblance to the story of the prodigal son (Lk. 15:11-24), since both passages reveal the great loving Father-heart of God. [2] Indeed, this section shocks us with its intensity and pathos. We see this reach a crescendo in 11:8.

This first verse stands out clearly as messianic. After the birth of Jesus, evil Herod sought to kill him. His parents, on heavenly instruction, escaped with him to Egypt. After the death of Herod, God called his Son out of Egypt (Matt. 2:15). This “Egypt experience” seems to be a necessary thing for God’s people. Indeed, there is a sense in which all of God’s redeemed are delivered out of Egyptian or fleshly bondage and into the glorious freedom and liberty of the Lord’s people. We all must celebrate our personal Passover.

Why did God choose Israel in the first place? In Deuteronomy 7:7-8, we read: “The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

The Lord had a wonderful plan. He first chose a person (Abraham) and then a family (the Jewish people) and finally a nation (Israel). God has worked on that plan for at least four thousand years. Although it appears that most of the world stands against this plan, it will nevertheless come to its completion in the last days. The simple truth is that God loves Israel. Feinberg sees this as the dominant note and chord of Hosea’s last four chapters. [3]

“But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images” (11:2). Truly like the prodigal son, they ran away from their Loving Father. We are not to think that idolatry was a late development in Israel. It was an early problem. In Genesis 31:32, we learn that Rachel stole her father’s idols or teraphim.

In Genesis 35:2, Jacob demanded that his household get rid of its foreign gods. In Exodus 32, we read how Israel worshipped a golden calf even while Moses was on the mountain receiving the ten commandments. In Acts 7:42-43, Stephen cites Amos 5:25-27, showing that the Israelites in the wilderness worshipped Moloch and Rephan. Then there was that dreadful national idolatry and sin at Baal Peor, which we have discussed. It happened even before the children of Israel entered the land. “After all, the nation had not only broken the law of God; they had broken the heart of God.” [4]

“It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them” (11:3-4). What tender pictures the Lord paints! The Lord gently teaches his child to walk, he cuddles, he feeds, he heals, and he draws with cords of kindness. Coffman says, “This is evidently a reference to the leading strings by which small children are kept near their parents, a device one may see to this day in certain sections of New York City.” [5] Although it was not customary in our area, I remember seeing a woman who was controlling her children with leather harnesses.

“Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans. My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them” (11:5-7). Some of the people may have fled to Egypt as their nation fell. They certainly fled to Egypt in order to make political alliances against Assyria. These were not successful but only helped hasten their defeat (2 Ki. 17:4-6). How true to God’s word, swords did flash in their streets.

The Assyrians were infamous in the ancient world for their cruelty to prisoners. These were often stripped naked and led away with hooks placed in their noses and lips. [6]

God’s Heart Cry

How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. Hosea 11:8

“This verse has been said to be the greatest passage in the book.” [7] It seems like God’s emotions are in turmoil over his children. These are his chosen people. How can he watch them be destroyed? He cannot treat them like Admah and Zeboyim. These cities were turned to ashes along with wicked Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19). God’s covenant with Abraham is unconditional (Gen. 12:1-3). He cannot desert his people regardless of their rebellion.

“I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man – the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities” (11:9). This is truly a difficult verse. God cannot be saying that he will not punish Ephraim. Could this be speaking of the future judgment? The next verse definitely speaks of future blessing.

A Quick Glimpse Of The Future

They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows, from Assyria, fluttering like doves. I will settle them in their homes,” declares the LORD. Hosea 11:10-11

The Ten Lost Tribes, as they are often called, will return home. As we mentioned earlier, some of this return has already happened (cf. 1:10). They will come trembling from Assyria and other places of their dispersion. These will return and settle once more in the Land of Israel. Most Bible commentators do not yet understand that this miracle is happening.

Several Scriptures speak of this return. These are Isaiah 11:11-12; Jeremiah 3:18; Jeremiah 31:8-9; Ezekiel 11:17; Ezekiel 37:21-22; Hosea 3:5. This return of the Ten Tribes after 2,700 years illustrates the truth of James 2:13, “…Mercy triumphs over judgment.” As Pett says, “Shiloh will come, and his people will be gathered to him (Genesis 49:10).” [8]

“Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One” (11:12). This verse seems totally out of place. In fact, it is out of place. In the ancient Hebrew Bible, this verse begins chapter 12. [9] From our brief glimpse of glory, we turn back to the sins of Ephraim and even of Judah.

Footnotes

1. Meyer, Meyer’ Commentary, Hosea, vs. 11:1-11.

2. Guthrie, et. al. The New Bible Commentary: Revised, p. 713.

3. Feinberg, The Minor Prophets, p. 54.

4. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 1402.

5. Coffman, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible, Hosea. v. 11:3.6 https://biblehub.com/q/Symbolism_of_hook_in_nose_in_2_Kings_19_28.htm

6. Feinberg, The Minor Prophets, p. 57.

7. Pett, Pett’s Commentary, vs. 11:11.

8. Feinberg, The Minor Prophets, p. 58.