The Prophet Hosea

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- Chapter 11 -

(Matthew 2:13–15)

Just as the morning passes, so has the king of Israel passed by. For Israel was a child and I loved him; and out of Egypt I called my son.(a)

They called them, and so they departed before their face. They offered victims to the Baals, and they sacrificed to graven images.(b)

And I was like a foster father to Ephraim. I carried them in my arms. And they did not know that I healed them.

I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love. And I will be to them like one who raises the yoke over their jaws. And I will reach down to him so that he may eat.

He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assur himself will be the king over him, because they were not willing to be converted.(c)

The sword has begun in his cities, and it will consume his elect and devour their heads.

And my people will long for my return. But a yoke will be imposed on them together, which will not be taken away.

God’s Love for Israel

How will I provide for you, Ephraim; how will I protect you, Israel? How will I provide for you as for Adam; will I set you like Zeboiim? My heart has changed within me; together with my regret, it has been stirred up.(d)

I will not act on the fury of my wrath. I will not turn back to utterly destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Divine in your midst, and I will not advance upon the city.

They will walk after the Lord; he will roar like a lion. For he himself will roar, and the sons of the sea will dread.

And they will fly like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove from the land of the Assyrians. And I will arrange them in their own houses, says the Lord.

Ephraim has besieged me with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah went down as a witness before God and the holy ones of faith.(e)

Footnotes

(a)11:1 I called my son:Viz., Israel. But as the calling of Israel out of Egypt, was a figure of the calling of Christ from thence; therefore this text is also applicable to Christ, as we learn from Matthew. 2:15.(Challoner)

(b)11:2 They called:Viz., Moses and Aaron called; but they went away after other gods and would not hear.(Challoner)

(c)11:5 Assur can refer to the Assyrian god, or to a city named after that god. Either the city of Assur, representing the place where leadership resides in a particular country, or Assur the Assyrian god, will rule over them.(Conte)

(d)11:8 Adama, etc:Adama and Seboim were two cities in the neighborhood of Sodom: and underwent the like destruction.(Challoner)

(e)11:12 The word ‘sanctis’ is plural, so it does not refer to God, and ‘fidelis’ is genitive, so the translation is ‘the holy ones (or the saints) of faith (or of faithfulness).’(Conte)

(Matthew 2:13–15)

“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn’t know that I healed them.

I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.

“They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.

My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.

God’s Love for Israel

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.

They will walk after the LORD, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.

They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says the LORD.

Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.