11:1-7. CONTRASTED CONDUCT.
V  m1  1. Love.
    n1  2. Ingratitude.
   m2  3-. Love.
    n2  -3. Insensibility.
   m3  4. Love.
    n3  5-7. Threatening.

689-611 B.C.

Hosea 11)

1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him (cp. Jer. 2:2. Mal. 1:2), and called to My son out of Egypt. (See Ex. 4:22,23. Prophecy about Son of sons. Quoted in Matt. 2:15.)

2 As they (the callers: i.e. the prophets,&c) called them, so they went from them (God is saying, the more that truth is taught, the farther they are driven from it. They even rebel against it, which is blasphemy): they kept sacrificing to Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3 I taught Ephraim also to walk (cp. Isa. 46:3), I use to take them by their arms; (He has led them and they don't even know it.)

but they knew not that I healed them. (See Ex. 15:26.)

4 I would draw them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that loosen the yoke on their jaws (viz. the straps which bind the yoke to the neck), and holding out [food] to him I let him eat. (Even when I was feeding them I lifted up the yolk to hold up the weight. Easy. God loves His children.)

5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, and the Assyrian (Antichrist of last days. See Isa. 14:25) he became his king, because they refused to return [to Me].
6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches (put for sons, as being the progeny and defenders), and devour them, because of their own counsels. (Traditions of men.)
7 And My People are bent to backsliding from Me (cp. 4:16. Because of ignorance, Biblically illiterate): though they called upon the Most High, He shall not altogether lift them up.

8 How shall I give you up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver you, Israel? how shall I make you as Admah? how shall I set you as Zeboim? (Allies of Sodom and Gomorrah. See Gen. 10:19; 14:2,8. Deut. 29:23. These places are not mentioned elsewhere) My heart is turned within Me, My compassions are kindled together.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim (10 northern tribes): for I am God, and not man; the Holy One [will not come] into the midst of you: and I will not come against (i.e as an enemy) the city. (I.e. as I came against Sodom and Gomorrah)
10 They shall return to the LORD: [when] He shall summon them with a lion's roar: when He shall roar, then the sons [of Israel] shall come (hasten, or trembling. In reverence and love) from the west. (Cp. Zech. 8:7.)
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 (cp. Ezek. 28:25,26; 37:21,25), says the LORD. (Do you know where they are scattered? The house of Judah and the house of Israel are still separated to this this day!)

11:12-12:14. INCORRIGIBILITY.
U  A  11:11-12:2. Incrimination. Lies, &c.
    B  o  12:3,4-. Jacob. Personal history.
        p  12:-4-6. Divine Favor and Communication.
         C  q  12:7,8. Provocation.
             r  12:9,10. Cause.
   A  12:11. Incrimination. Idolatry.
    B  o  12:12. Jacob. Personal history.
        p  12:13. Divine Favor and Communication.
         C  q  12:14-. Provocation.
             r  12:-14. Consequences.

12 Ephraim compasses Me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit (see Isa. 29;13. Ezek. 33:31. Matt. 15:8,9. Mark 7:6,7): but Judah yet rules with God (cp. 2 Chron. 13:10-12), and is faithful with the Holy One. (Rom. 8)

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