← Back to Hosea

Hosea 11

12 verses

TL;DR

God’s affection for Israel is expressed as a loving father’s bond, yet it is tempered by stern judgment as the people turn to idolatry.

Summary

In Hosea 11, God recalls the tender care He showed Israel from its child‑like infancy, calling Him a son and rescuing them from Egypt. He laments Israel’s idolatry—sacrifices to Baals, incense to graven images, and the forsaking of the covenant—despite His patient guidance and loving gestures. The chapter speaks of God’s impending judgment: the sword upon their cities, the Assyrian’s dominance, and the painful consequences of their own counsel. Yet He also declares His mercy, promising not to unleash His anger upon Ephraim and expressing a desire to restore them to the land, likening their return to birds escaping Egypt and Assyria. In contrast, Judah is praised for remaining faithful to God. The passage underscores God’s steadfast love, the reality of repentance, and the tension between divine discipline and compassion.

Outline
  1. God’s loving childhood care and call from Egypt
  2. Israel’s idolatry and the ensuing divine judgment
  3. God’s mercy and the hope of restoration, contrasting Judah’s faithfulness
Themes
Covenant love and faithfulnessIdolatry and backslidingJudgment and mercyNational identity
Keywords
loveidolatrycovenantjudgmentmercybackslidingfaithfulness
People
IsraelEphraimJudahGod
Places
EgyptAssyriathe landthe citythe west
Things
Baalsincensegraven imagesyokemeatswordlionbirddove
Key Verses
  • Hosea 11:1: Introduces God’s intimate affection for Israel from infancy
  • Hosea 11:6: Illustrates the severity of judgment upon Israel’s cities
  • Hosea 11:9: Shows God’s restraint and promise of mercy toward Ephraim
  • Hosea 11:12: Contrasts Judah’s faithfulness with Israel’s deceit, highlighting national divide
Questions
  • Why does God promise not to destroy Ephraim?
  • What does the imagery of birds escaping Egypt and Assyria signify about Israel’s hope?
  • How does Judah’s faithfulness serve as a foil to Israel’s idolatry?
  • What is the significance of God’s reference to Himself as the "Lord" amid both judgment and mercy?
  • In what ways does the chapter reflect the tension between divine justice and compassion?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter blends affectionate love with harsh judgment, resulting in a balanced emotional tone.