Out of Egypt I Called My Son

Introduction:

As we continue in our current series entitled, Christ in the Old Testament, a series that has us exploring nine key passages from the Old Testament, revealing how God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ was woven into the fabric of salvation history from the very beginning, and are progressive in nature.

We began with three sermons related to foundational typology,

The first promise made to Adam and Eve at their point of sin of one who would crush the serpents head and be bruised in the process, in Genesis 3:15.

Then we saw the need for a substitute, one that would die in the place of the one chosen, in the ultimate sacrifice, in Genesis 22:1-19.

Then we saw the type of the passover lamb whose blood would save God’s people from God’s wrath of death in Exodus 12:1-13.

Then two sermons that showed us The Work of Atonement itself, The Suffering Servant, from Isaiah 53, and the King on the Cross from Psalm 22. From these sermons we saw the seriousness of sin…sin must be atoned for. God can not forgive sins, he forgives sinners whose sins have been atoned for.

Then last week we began to look at two sermons that show us The Identity of the Redeemer (Eternal God, Perfect Man), and saw our redeemer first of all as The Ruler from Bethlehem, from Micah 5:1-6, and eternal God, but would of first importance, shepherd His people. Now this morning, we will see secondly, our redeemer in His perfect humanity as God declared that Out of Egypt I called my Son from Hosea 11.

Text: Hosea 11

Hosea 11 ESV

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, 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 not 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. 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 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.

Main Idea: Because God is faithful and His covenant love is steadfast even though His people are rebellious and unfaithful, He called His Son, the true Israel, out of Egypt, to perfectly fulfill what His people failed to accomplish.

Background:

The book of Hosea is the first of the twelve Minor Prophets in the Old Testament and offers a deeply emotional message of God's steadfast love despite Israel's unfaithfulness.

Here is a breakdown of the prophet and the background of his book:

The Prophet Hosea

Name Meaning: His name, Hōšēaʿ, means "Salvation."

Time Period: Hosea prophesied during the turbulent latter half of the 8th century BCE (approximately 753–722 BCE). This was a time of political decline, moral decay, and imminent judgment.

Setting: He was a native of and directed his message primarily to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim in the book), leading up to its final conquest and exile by the Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE.

The Personal Analogy: The most striking part of Hosea's background is God's command for him to marry a woman named Gomer, who God described as "a wife of harlotry" (Hosea 1:2).

Gomer's unfaithfulness to Hosea served as a vivid, agonizing living parable for Israel's spiritual adultery and betrayal of its covenant with God by worshiping idols, especially the Canaanite fertility god Baal.

The names of their children—Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah ("Not Pitied"), and Lo-ammi ("Not My People")—were also prophetic symbols of God's coming judgment on the nation.

Historical and Religious Context

Political Instability: Hosea's ministry spanned the reigns of several kings in both Judah (South) and Israel (North). The period after the powerful reign of Jeroboam II in Israel was marked by political chaos, with numerous kings being assassinated.

The Assyrian Threat: The rising power of the Assyrian Empire was the major backdrop, dominating the politics of the ancient Near East and serving as the instrument of God's impending judgment. Israel's kings made foolish alliances with foreign nations rather than relying on God.

Spiritual Apostasy: Despite God's covenant with Israel, the people had:

Engaged in rampant idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, which often involved immoral fertility rituals.

Committed social injustices, with the wealthy oppressing the poor.

Relied on empty ritual while neglecting true knowledge and love of God (Hosea 6:6).

Central Message of the Book

The book's message shifts between two core themes:

Condemnation and Judgment: Chapters 4–13 detail God's "covenant lawsuit" against Israel for their sins, warning that the nation would face destruction and exile.

Unwavering Love and Restoration: Despite the harsh judgment, the book ultimately culminates in a powerful message of unending divine compassion and the promise of future healing and restoration, driven by God's steadfast love for His people (Chapters 11 and 14).

We begin with a pivital declaration which will drive the essential theme of this passage, showing:

I. A Father's Love for Israel (11:1)

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

When Israel was a child, I loved him, - Here is one of the most endearing passages in Hosea. The prophet uses another family metaphor, portraying the Lord not only as a husband but also as a father (cf. Luke 15:11–32). This metaphor was not original to Hosea (cf. Ex. 4:22–23).

Exodus 4:22–23 ESV

22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”

out of Egypt I called my son - Here and in v. 4 reference is made to God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt (Ex. 4:22). This truth will come to a greater fulfillment as we go through this passage.

God expresses His fatherly love for Israel, recalling how He brought them out of Egypt. God’s recalling all that he had done to bring about a people He called His son.

But what was behind this act of love and calling?

When God called Israel out of Egypt, His purpose was multifaceted but centered on establishing a son-relationship with His people for His own glory among the nations:

1. To create a people for His own possession

Exodus 19:4-6 declares:

Exodus 19:4–6 ESV

4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

The Exodus wasn't merely about physical liberation—it was about bringing a people to Himself, into intimate covenant relationship.

2. To display His glory to the nations - Throughout Exodus and by means of the exodus, God repeatedly says He acts "that you may know that I am the LORD" and "that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth" (Ex. 9:16). Even Pharoah who hardened his hearth was an instrument in the hands of God to declare His name…

Exodus 9:16 ESV

16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

Israel was to be a light to the nations, demonstrating what it means to live under God's rule with His presence dwelling among them (the tabernacle). They were to be the instrument of God’s revelation of Himself to the world.

3. To fulfill the Abrahamic covenant - God was keeping His promise to Abraham that his descendants would be a great nation through whom "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 12:3). Israel was to be the vehicle of blessing to the world.

4. To prepare for the ultimate Redeemer - From Genesis 3:15 forward, God was working toward the coming of the seed who would crush the serpent's head. Israel was the line through which Messiah would come—the nation that would preserve God's revelation and provide the context for the Incarnation.

With this as God’s purpose, we will see…

II. Israel's Failure as Son (11:2-7)

We see here a litany of failures and disobedience of Israel in response to God’s covenantal love.

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, 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. - They were unaware that God was behind their successes.

5 They shall not 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. - they would not regress, as if God had failed, but move forward into God’s judgment.

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. - God in judgment for their sin, will not deliver them as He had before.

So, is that it, is there no answer? Although called God's "son," Israel rebelled and turned away from God, treading underfoot God’s covenant purpose, the answer is…

III. The True Son of God (11:8-12)

We see here a transition from the failures of Israel to the sovereign work of the covenant keeping God by bringing into focus the necessity for the true Son of God.

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.

How can I give you up - God now speaks directly to Israel. The contrast with vv. 5–7 heightens the impact of this deeply personal declaration of relentless compassion. Very similar to the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah:

Isaiah 49:15 ESV

15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Jeremiah 31:20 ESV

20 Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the Lord.

How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? - These two cities on the plain near the southern end of the Dead Sea (Gen. 10:19; 14:2, 8) were destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:23–25), thus becoming examples of God’s wrath (Deut. 29:23; Jer. 49:18).

Along with this deep desire for His son Israel, there is a rather striking transition from His wrath to His grace, for we read…

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. - in his transition from wrath to grace is a subtile reminder of who he is: God and Holy One. As a result of His acts of justice and grace…

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. - the final outcome will be a return of a remnant of redeemed people, declares or decreed by the LORD (Yahweh). But…

12 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. - a reminder of where things are right now, which makes this promise even more miraculous.

So what will happen? Has God’s original plan failed, no, a thousand times no, for we know God cannot forgive sin only sinners whose sin has been atoned for. We also know that left to themselves, Israel would never become a king of priests and a holy nation. Something greater and more wonderful must take place…

What will happen is the ultimate fulfillment of Hosea 11:1, as given to us by Matthew 2:13-15. Remember that the wise men who sought King Jesus where told of his birth in Bethlehem by the scribes (last week’s message), and told to go and seek him and return to give Herod word. However, remember that an angel warned the wise men not to return to Herod and they departed a different way. We pick it up in verse 13…

Matthew 2:13–15 ESV

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

In summary, Matthew sees the early life of Jesus—fleeing into Egypt to escape a king (like Moses and the early Israelites), and then being called out of Egypt—as the ultimate, God-ordained culmination of the Exodus pattern, establishing Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who is the new Israel, the perfect human and eternal Son of God (bring last week’s and this week’s messages together). It is His judgment poured out through the atoning sacrifice of the perfect human Jesus, that will allow God’s mercy and grace to fall upon the remnant of His chosen people.

So what was the result of the true Israel, Jesus, being called out of Egypt?

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Revelation 1:6 ESV

6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:9–10 ESV

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

So What?

Do we understand that if we seek to obey God and come to Him in our own way or by our own merit we will continually fail and only incur His just judgment?

Do we understand that only through Jesus Christ, the exclusively obedient Son of God, can we ever hope to come to God and find mercy and grace?

Do we understand, that as a result of coming to Christ and receiving His atonement for our sins, we become a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, living and declaring the excellencies of our great God?