Talks

Hosea 11 (Listen)

The Lord’s Love for Israel

11:1   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,¹
    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 not² 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.³
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   ⁴ 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.

(ESV)