Hosea Chapter Eleven

Written By: Timothy Fish Published: 10/13/2008

The Lord looks back at his time with Israel in Hosea 11. He tells how he loved him and called him out of Egypt. Even though God loved them, Israel turned to idols and worshiped graven images. He looks back at what he did for Ephraim, but Ephraim didn’t recognize all he did for them.

The Lord took care of them and provided for them. In verse five, we see that they would not have to go back to Egypt. Instead, the Assyrians would conquer them. We see a picture of inner turmoil. The Lord is asking a question. “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 Zeboiim? Mine heart is turned within Me; My repentings are kindled together.” (Hosea 11:8) While the Lord knew what he would do, he wanted the people to understand the love he had for them. It wasn’t for pleasure that he would turn them over to their enemies, but it was for their own good.

In the latter part of the chapter, we see that the Lord has decided not to execute all of his anger. Even with their great sin, the Lord would withhold some of the punishment they deserved. As we look at our own lives, we may find that the Lord doesn’t always give us the punishment we deserve. He gives us what we need to draw us back to him, but he doesn’t want to harm us more than is required.

For the Love
of a
Devil

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