HOSEA
Hosea 11 ©
God’s love and kindness to Israel since their being in Egypt (among which is hidden a prophecy of Christ), opposed to their disobedience, idolatry, unthankfulness and obstinacy, vss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7. Wherefore they shall be carried to Assyria and dealt with tyrannously, 5, 6. A promise of graciously mitigating the punishment, and Israel’s conversion to Christ, by the preaching of the Gospel, 8, etc.
WHEN Israel was 1a child, then I loved him, and 2calleda my 3son out of Egypt.
4As they called them, so they went from 5them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
I 6taught Ephraim also to go, 7taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I 8healed them.
I drew them with 9cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the 10yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto 11them.
¶ 12He shall not return into the land of 13Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
And the 14sword shall abide on 15his cities, and shall consume his 16branches, and devour them, because of their own 17counsels.
And my people are bent to backsliding 18from me: though 19they called 20them to the most High, 21none at all would exalt 22him.
23How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as 24Admah?bhow shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine 25heart is turned within me, 26my repentings are kindled together.
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not 27return to destroy Ephraim: for I am 28God, and not man; the 29Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter 30into the city.
They shall walk after the 31LORD: he shall 32roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the 33children shall tremble 34from the west.
They shall tremble as a 35bird out of 36Egypt, and as a 37dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will 38place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
39Ephraim compasseth 40me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but 41Judah yet ruleth 42with God, and is faithful with the 43saints.