Hosea 11

The Love of a Father

Prayer time

Read Whole Chapter

Writing Exercises

Write out verses 1-4

Find all names and descriptive terms God calls himself by in the chapter.

Shepherd, Parent, Al (Most High) El (God), Qados (Holy One) ka-dosh, Yahweh (LORD), Lion, Yahweh, El, Qados

God uses different 7 different descriptive terms or names for himself in this chapter used 10 or 11 times.

This chapter is all about God. And who He his. When we read it it’s a very feel good chapter because of the grace and mercy contained within. But the point of it all is to draw us to God and what He has done.

This passage containing this many descriptive terms of God and His nature gives us a wonderful picture of who He is.

And there are over 900 names and titles for God like this in scripture.

The parenthood of God revealed in this chapter is one of the most beautiful things in the whole Bible and most certainly in the Old Testament. We have been reading of a God who is promising the fulfilment of covenant curses on His people for chapter after chapter.

Vs 1-2

We see that God considers Israel’s exodus and redemption from Egypt to be their childhood. Yet the more He called them to himself the more they pursued the Baals and other gods.

Vs 3-4

We see God speaking of his people as children, and livestock, and in turn referring to himself as a parent and a shepherd. I say parent because God is neither male nor female, and both sexes are a reflection of His nature. This passage that illustrates a child being taught how to walk can invoke the image of a mother or a father teaching their children. Either way this passage has a motherly quality to it.

These words come directly after God reminds His people of what He has done. You could paraphrase what He is saying like this, “Did Baal teach Ephraim to walk? Did Baal take them by their arms and heal them? Did Baal lead them with cords if kindness and bands of love? Did Baal bend down to them to ease their yoke and feed them?” These questions are absurd and the obvious answer is a profound “no!” Baal worship only taxed the bodies and souls of those who engaged in it.

5-7

Even though the Israelites desired to return to Egypt, where God had rescued them from, God says they will go to Assyria instead. Imagine a cow that it struggling to go south but is pulled by an iron yoke to go north.

My people are bent on turning away from me...

Verse 7b has many variants in the translations. Read a few and discuss meaning.

8-9

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3. The Lord’s Compassion Renewed (11:8–11)

As in earlier sections of this prophecy, Hosea’s message of judgment concludes with an abrupt shift to a message of salvation (cf. 1:10–2:1; 2:14–3:5; 5:15–6:3). These verses should not be understood as a decision to withhold the judgment threatened uncompromisingly throughout the book. Instead, the words are a divine response to Israel’s suffering and exile. The Lord would not totally abandon Israel. The effects of His wrath would be tempered by His compassion, and He would ultimately call His people back from exile.

Any thoughts on these two verses?

I find the phrase “My heart recoils within me.” Fascinating. This verse sounds like a man speaking of his own body, but it is God speaking concerning himself. A great example of how we are made in God’s image. The verse resonates with us because we are made in his image.

What does your verse 9 say? What is the fierce anger of the Lord?

When this particular description of God’s anger is used in the Bible it is concerning an anger that destroys.

It does not say that he didn’t have the fierce anger, it says he will not execute it. What’s the difference?

vs 10

Hosea 11:10–11 LEB

10 They will go after Yahweh; he roars like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the sea. 11 They will tremble like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will let them return to their homes— a declaration of Yahweh.

Hosea

Whereas God had compared his people to doves in a negative fashion in the chapter before, this verse gives the impression of birds swiftly and purposefully returning to their master.

Why this sudden positive chapter? Is God saying that he is not going to discipline them now?

No he is promising to leave the remnant.

Read and 15

God, in his fidelity is keeping his marriage covenant with his people. He had been faithful to them since the beginning despite their unfaithfulness, and it is actually an act of love for God to keep his covenant curses for Israel.

Hebrews 12:5–11 LEB

5 And have you completely forgotten the exhortation which instructs you as sons? “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or give up when you are corrected by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one whom he loves, and punishes every son whom he accepts.” 7 Endure it for discipline. God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, in which all legitimate sons have become participants, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had our earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Will we not much rather subject ourselves to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a few days according to what seemed appropriate to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we can have a share in his holiness. 11 Now all discipline seems for the moment not to be joyful but painful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it.

Hebrews 12:6 LEB

6 For the Lord disciplines the one whom he loves, and punishes every son whom he accepts.”

Hebrews 12:5

Homework: Either write out verses 8-9 or the whole chapter.