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Hosea 11

1

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

2

As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3

I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

1
4

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

5

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

6

And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

7

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

8

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

1
9

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

1
10

They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

11

They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the Lord.

1
12

Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

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Hosea 11:8

“How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.”

Study Summary

The rhetorical question 'How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?' indicates God's anguish over the necessity of judgment, suggesting that divine justice must be satisfied yet at great cost to God's own heart. The comparison to Admah and Zeboim (cities destroyed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah) suggests the severity of possible judgment, yet the question form indicates that God recoils from this possibility. This verse reveals divine pathos, the pain in God's heart at the necessity of judging Israel.

Community Reflections

1
Jonas Eriksson (test user)1d ago
The armor of God — Hosea 11

His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfectly good.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Faith isn't the absence of doubt — it's choosing to believe despite it.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. There's something deeply comforting about knowing that the same God who spoke these words is the same yesterday, today,…

Read the note →

Hosea 11:8

“How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.”

Study Summary

The rhetorical question 'How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?' indicates God's anguish over the necessity of judgment, suggesting that divine justice must be satisfied yet at great cost to God's own heart. The comparison to Admah and Zeboim (cities destroyed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah) suggests the severity of possible judgment, yet the question form indicates that God recoils from this possibility. This verse reveals divine pathos, the pain in God's heart at the necessity of judging Israel.

Community Reflections

1
Jonas Eriksson (test user)1d ago
The armor of God — Hosea 11

His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfectly good.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Faith isn't the absence of doubt — it's choosing to believe despite it.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. There's something deeply comforting about knowing that the same God who spoke these words is the same yesterday, today,…

Read the note →

Hosea 11:8

The rhetorical question 'How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?' indicates God's anguish over the necessity of judgment, suggesting that divine justice must be satisfied yet at great cost to God's own heart. The comparison to Admah and Zeboim (cities destroyed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah) suggests the severity of possible judgment, yet the question form indicates that God recoils from this possibility. This verse reveals divine pathos, the pain in God's heart at the necessity of judging Israel.