Hosea11

God recounts His tender love for Israel from its infancy, calling them out of Egypt and nurturing them. Despite His unwavering care, Israel persistently turned to idolatry and backsliding, leading to the declared judgment of Assyrian captivity. Yet, in a profound display of divine compassion, God's heart is moved, and He refrains from utterly destroying Ephraim, promising a future restoration.

God's Love for Israel

1
When Israel was a childe, then I loued him, and called my sonne out of Egypt.
2
They called them, but they went thus from them: they sacrificed vnto Baalim, and burnt incense to images.
3
I ledde Ephraim also, as one shoulde beare them in his armes: but they knewe not that I healed them.
4
I led them with cordes of a man, euen with bandes of loue, and I was to them, as hee that taketh off the yoke from their iawes, and I laide the meat vnto them.

Judgment for Refusal to Repent

5
He shall no more returne into the lande of Egypt: but Asshur shalbe his King, because they refused to conuert.
6
And the sworde shall fall on his cities, and shall consume his barres, and deuoure them, because of their owne counsels.
7
And my people are bent to rebellion against me: though they called them to the most hie, yet none at all would exalt him.

God's Compassion Overcomes Wrath

8
Howe shall I giue thee vp, Ephraim? howe shall I deliuer thee, Israel? how shall I make thee, as Admah? howe shall I set thee, as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within mee: my repentings are rouled together.
9
I wil not execute ye fiercenesse of my wrath: I will not returne to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man, the holy one in the middes of thee, and I will not enter into the citie.

The Promise of Future Restoration

10
They shall walke after the Lord: he shall roare like a lyon: when hee shall roare, then the children of the West shall feare.
11
They shall feare as a sparrow out of Egypt, and as a doue of the lande of Asshur, and I will place them in their houses, sayth the Lord.

A Concluding Contrast

12
Ephraim copasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Iudah yet ruleth with God, and is faithfull with the Saints.
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