Hosea 11:1-12:1
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more they were called,
the more they went away;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals
and burning offerings to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them up by their arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of kindness,
with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
and I bent down to them and fed them.
5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt,
but Assyria shall be their king,
because they have refused to return to me.
6 The sword shall rage against their cities,
consume the bars of their gates,
and devour them because of their own counsels.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me,
and though they call out to the Most High,
he shall not raise them up at all.
8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my burning anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.
10 They shall go after the Lord;
he will roar like a lion;
when he roars,
his children shall come trembling from the west;
11 they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,
and like doves from the land of Assyria,
and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
and the house of Israel with deceit,
but Judah still walks with God
and is faithful to the Holy One.
1 Ephraim feeds on the wind
and pursues the east wind all day long;
they multiply falsehood and violence;
they make a covenant with Assyria,
and oil is carried to Egypt.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ho 11:1-12:1). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The People of Israel as the Son of God were brought up out of the Land of Egypt. God raised his people and taught them how they are supposed to act and live. He taught them how to Walk and live among the nations. God raised his Son like any Father looking after their children.
The People of Israel have repeatedly turned their back on their parents. They have disobeyed their curfew and worshiped idols and statues. They even asked for their inheritance from their Father in advance and squandered it. They have enjoyed the lush pasture land of Israel while bowing down to foreign gods. They have spit in the face of their Father.
Therefore, he will send them to boarding school so they can learn their lesson in Assyria as slaves. But one day he will call his Son out of Assyria as well. It will be like when he called his Son out of the Land of Egypt. God will again restore the full inheritance to his people. But this will finally be accomplished when he makes with them a new Covenant. This covenant will be with the Holy One of Israel. God's Son makes a new covenant for God's people.
This new covenant is made with you. He has given his Son to die for the forgiveness of your sins. He is the Son of God brought out of the Land of Egypt for your salvation. He will place you in lush pastures as well.
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