Hosea 11:7

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

And my people {H5971} are bent {H8511} to backsliding {H4878} from me: though they called {H7121} them to the most High {H5920}, none at all {H3162} would exalt {H7311} him.

My people are hanging in suspense about returning to me; and though they call them upwards, nobody makes a move.

My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

And my people are bent on backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him.

Hosea 11:7 vividly portrays the spiritual stubbornness of ancient Israel, particularly the northern kingdom of Ephraim, during a period of profound national decline. This verse follows God's tender lament over His people's unfaithfulness, despite His unwavering love and care for them since their earliest days.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Hosea ministered during a tumultuous time in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) in the 8th century BC, just before its fall to Assyria. His message often uses the metaphor of a broken marriage, with God as the faithful husband and Israel as the unfaithful wife. Hosea 11, in particular, highlights God's deep paternal love, recalling how He nurtured Israel from its infancy (Hosea 11:1). Despite this foundational love and continuous guidance through His prophets, the people persistently turned away to idolatry and sought alliances with foreign nations rather than trusting in the Lord.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Persistent Backsliding: The phrase "bent to backsliding from me" describes an inherent and deliberate inclination towards apostasy. It's not merely an occasional stumble but a deep-seated spiritual condition where the people's hearts are continually drawn away from God. This reveals a willful rejection of their covenant relationship.
  • Divine Call and Human Rejection: God's persistent efforts to call His people back to Himself are highlighted ("though they called them to the most High"). These calls came through faithful prophets who urged repentance and a return to true worship. However, the tragic response was "none at all would exalt [him]," indicating a complete refusal to acknowledge God's rightful place or to offer genuine worship.
  • Refusal to Exalt God: To "exalt" God means to lift Him up, to give Him preeminence, honor, and worship. Israel's refusal to do so meant they preferred their idols, their own ways, and their political schemes over the sovereign will of the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "bent to backsliding" (talu'im lemeshuva) is evocative. Talu'im suggests being "hung" or "suspended," implying a fixed, almost gravitational pull towards their apostasy. It emphasizes a deep-rooted tendency. The term meshuva, "backsliding," denotes a turning away, a turning back from the right path, signifying a deliberate departure from God. The title "Most High" (Hebrew: 'Elyon) is a powerful designation for God, emphasizing His supreme sovereignty and exalted position, making Israel's rejection of Him even more profound.

Practical Application

Hosea 11:7 offers timeless insights for believers today:

  • Spiritual Self-Assessment: We are prompted to examine our own hearts for any "bent to backsliding" – subtle or overt tendencies to drift from God, neglect spiritual disciplines, or prioritize worldly desires over His will.
  • Heeding God's Voice: The verse reminds us of the constant divine call to return to God when we stray. Just as Israel was called by prophets, God speaks to us today through His Word and the Holy Spirit, urging us to repentance and renewed fellowship. The promise of forgiveness is available when we confess our sins.
  • Living a Life of Exaltation: Our lives should be characterized by genuinely exalting God in thought, word, and deed. This means giving Him the preeminence He deserves, living in obedience to His commands, and offering Him sincere worship, rather than pursuing idols or self-serving ambitions. Psalm 34:3 encourages us to magnify the Lord together.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 8:5

    Why [then] is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

  • Amos 5:14

    Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

  • Amos 5:15

    Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

  • Hosea 7:16

    They return, [but] not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this [shall be] their derision in the land of Egypt.

  • Hosea 14:4

    ¶ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

  • Psalms 81:11

    But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

  • Jeremiah 3:11

    And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

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