Hosea 11
Lutheran reading notes
In Hosea chapter 11, the prophetic message develops the theme of Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s enduring covenant love. Lutheran interpretation often highlights the contrast between divine judgment against sin and the promise of grace that God provides for those who trust in Him.
1
When Israel {was} a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Hosea 11:1 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
{As} they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
Hosea 11:2 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
Hosea 11:3 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. {take off: Heb. lift up}
Hosea 11:4 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
Hosea 11:5 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour {them}, because of their own counsels.
Hosea 11:6 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt {him}. {none...: Heb. together they exalted not}
Hosea 11:7 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
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 Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
Hosea 11:8 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I {am} God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
Hosea 11:9 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
Hosea 11:10 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
Hosea 11:11 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. {saints: or, most holy}
Hosea 11:12 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.