Hosea 11

PLUS
Chapter 11

11:1 When Israel a [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.
11:2 [As] they called them, so they b 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.
11:4 I drew them with cords c 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.
11:5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his d king, because they refused to return.
(d) Seeing that they condemn all this kindness, they will be led captive into Assyria.
11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though e they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].
(e) That is, the Prophets.
11:8 f How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as g Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, h 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.
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 i 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.
11:11 k 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.
11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with l God, and is faithful with the saints.
(l) Governs their state according to Gods word, and does not degenerate.