For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Hosea 11:1-4

1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.
They sacrificed to the Baals
    and they burned incense to images.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed them.

A. Find Out:    

1. How does God refer to Israel? v.1
2. What happened though? v.2
3. What had He done? v.3
4. What further 3 things does He say He did? v.4

B. Think:

1. What things in this passage does God say He’s done for Israel?
2. How had Israel responded?
3. What sort of feeling do you think comes over in these verses?

C. Comment:

The previous chapter had been all about the punishment that was coming to Israel, but now the tone changes completely. It is as if we are allowed a glimpse into the heart of God, a glimpse behind all the words of judgement, into the heart that feels. In these verses there is almost a wistful longing as the Lord remembers the early years of Israel. Sometimes parents reminisce over their grown up children, remembering what they were like when they were babies. There is an element of this here.

The Lord remembers when He called Israel out of Egypt, how He had loved, protected and provided for this infant nation when He first brought them into being.  He had taught them to walk, and they had walked out of Egypt into the Promised Land and into nationhood. He had taken them in His arms and they had known His protection in their travels and in the early years of their existence. He had brought healing to them and blessed them with health. He had taken the yoke of slavery off them, brought them out of Egypt and fed them.

This was all the care of a loving Father for His little child. Yet they had turned away, they had not appreciated the wonder of what they had, they turned to the idols of foreign religions and allowed false worship to take over the life of the nation. Do you catch the sense of sorrow in the Lord’s heart here?

D. Application:

1. The heart of God is a heart of anguish when His people turn away from  Him, even when He is having to bring judgement.
2. Remember your testimony, God’s goodness to you .

Passage: Hosea 11:5-12

5 “Will they not return to Egypt
    and will not Assyria rule over them
    because they refuse to repent?
6 A sword will flash in their cities;
    it will devour their false prophets
    and put an end to their plans.
7 My people are determined to turn from me.
    Even though they call me God Most High,
    I will by no means exalt them.

8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim?
    How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
    How can I make you like Zeboyim?
My heart is changed within me;
    all my compassion is aroused.
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger,
    nor will I devastate Ephraim again.
For I am God, and not a man—
    the Holy One among you.
    I will not come against their cities.
10 They will follow the Lord;
    he will roar like a lion.
When he roars,
    his children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come from Egypt,
    trembling like sparrows,
    from Assyria, fluttering like doves.
I will settle them in their homes,”
    declares the Lord.

12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
    Israel with deceit.
And Judah is unruly against God,
    even against the faithful Holy One.

A. Find Out:

1. What is almost certain to happen? v.5
2. What will actually happen? v.6
3. What are they determined to do? v.7
4. What is happening in the Lord’s heart? v.8
5. What does He resolve? v.9
6. For what does He see can happen? v.10,11

B. Think:

1. What is the struggle going on in the Lord’s heart?
2. What does He not want to do?
3. How does He resolve the conflict?

C. Comment:

Here is a very precious passage, showing the struggle going on in the Lord’s heart. First of all the Lord sees the outcome of the present situation: Israel will not repent and therefore, as they refuse the Lord’s blessing and protection, they will end up being taken by the invading nations. They have determined to go their own way and even if they do call out to God it will be for their own selfish motives and not because they see their sin and want to turn away from it.

Then comes the Lord’s compassion. His heart goes out to His Israel. He considers the two cities of the plains that were destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah, and He resolves that Israel must not be totally destroyed like they were. Yet they WILL be carried away into exile. Will this be their end? What will He do?

He will send them into exile but He will call them back again. He will not leave them in exile, He will move upon their captors, He will call out to them and turn their hearts and He will call them back to the land again. How amazing this prophecy, for years later after the southern two tribes had been carried away as well, the Lord moved on Cyrus, and moved on the hearts of the Israelites in captivity, and brought them back once again. It was done!

D. Application:

1. In judgement the Lord can destroy completely.
2. Yet also the Lord can destroy and raise up to new life again.