God s Redeeming Love Part 10: The Heart of a Father Hosea 11:1-12:1
So What s Going On Here? We see the tender heart of God, like the loving Father that He is, reminiscing over the growing up years of His son, Israel, but having no choice but to rehearse what must be done to punish him because of his rebellious, sinful madness.
Big Idea though Jehovah is a compassionate loving Father, He cannot and will not allow sin to continue in His children. Yet even in the midst of His judgment, He guarantees a way back.
First, notice how Jehovah, as a reminiscent Father RECALLS THE PAST (11:1-4)
Recalls The Past (11:1-4) 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed This anthropomorphic to the Baals viewand of God, they sees burned Him remembering incense to the days of images. 3 old when from their bonds of slavery, He calls It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, them His own and delivers them from their Egyptian captors. 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; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.
out of Egypt I called my son. 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 The to Egypt, ultimateand fulfillment remain of Israel s therecalling until isi the tellredemptive you, for work Herod of Israel s is about messiah, to search Jesusfor Christ. 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. (Matt 2:13-15 ESV)
Gentles also called 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? (Rom 9:23-24 ESV)
Recalls The Past (11:1-4) 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more I called Israel, the further they went 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; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.
Recalls The Past (11:1-4) 70 1 When personsisrael entered was Egypt a child, at theitime loved of Joseph, him, and 430out years of later, Egyptborn I called out ofmy slavery, son. they 2 But plundered the more the Ipowerful called Israel, Egyptians, the andfurther came walking they forth went as afrom great nation me. over They2 sacrificed million strong. 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; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.
Recalls The Past (11:1-4) 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more I called Though the timeless God reached into the timeframe of our Israel, the further they went from me. They world and showered Israel with blessing after blessing, they sacrificed were oblivious to to thehisbaals presence. 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; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.
The prophet Hosea begins to awaken us from these memories and presents the stark reality of Israel s judgment as he RECOUNTS THE PRESENT (11:5-9)
Recounts The Present (11:5-9) 5 Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? 6 Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the Why bars would of their God gates allowand such put a an godless end to nation theirtoplans. rule over them? Because they refused to repent. 7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them.
Recounts The Present (11:5-9) 5 Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? 6 Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans. 7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them.
Recounts The Present (11:5-9) 5 Will they Hebrew notword return tala to = to Egypt suspend, and will or hang not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? Passive voice = something that is hanging in suspended 6 Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the animation, bars of their being gates inclined andorput bent anbyend outside to their forces. plans. among whom we all once lived in the passions of our 7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, if they call to the Most High, will by no means and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of exalt them. mankind. (Eph 2:3 ESV) Like yielding to the demands of our sinful nature, and blindly allowing it to dictate every action.
There is hope 5 For if we have been united with him {Jesus Christ} in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Jesus 6 We Christ know broke that the our back old of self sin, was crucified and its with power him to in conquer order that those the who body of sin might come be brought to Christ to for nothing, salvation! so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (Rom 6:5 6 ESV)
Recounts The Present (11:5-9) 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 Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn Yet even seeing this passive inclination away from Him, and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not Jehovah proclaims from the depths of His great love man the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.
Recounts The Present (11:5-9) 8 God, How though candriven I give to execute you up, HisEphraim? anger against Howthecan sin of I hand Ephraim you (Israel over, north), Israel? will because How can of His I treat covenant you with like Admah? His people, How not carry canout I make the fierce youmagnitude like Zeboiim? of His wrath My and heart devastate is changed them completely. within me; all my compassion is aroused. I am God, and not man = God is able and will carry out 9 His I will covenant not carryplan out with my fierce Israel, anger, regardless nor will of I turn their disobedience, and devastate since Ephraim. He is not fickle For Ioram moved God, to take andaction not apart man from thehis Holy plan One though among harassed you. Iby will the not heckling come in of sinful wrath. mankind.
God vs. Man 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Is 55:8 9 ESV)
Confidence Towards God And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:6 ESV)
Finally, in the midst of the sure present reality of judgment, there dawns the light of hope as Hosea describes how Jehovah RECOVERS THE FUTURE (11:10-12:1)
Recovers The Future (11:10-12:1) 10 Though They there will follow will be the the LORD; unavoidable he will judgment roar like in a punishment lion. When for their roars, sin, Jehovah his children will bringwill about come His stated trembling purpose from the west. 11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Hosea Assyria. uses I will thesettle word will themfive intimes their inhomes, verses 10 declares and 11, the LORD. 12 characterizing theephraim actions of has Jehovah, surrounded and the subsequent me with lies, response the of house His people. of Israel We with see no deceit. frustration AndbyJudah Jehovah is unruly whatsoever; against He has God, guaranteed even against a remnant thewill faithful be saved! Holy One.
Recovers The Future (11:10-12:1) 1 Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt. Jesus commands those who are tired of chasing after the wind like Ephraim to come to Him Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28 ESV)
Future is Certain All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (John 6:37 ESV) I will restore to you the years that the Will you come to Jesus Christ swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, today, and and the repent cutter, of my your great sins army, which Iand senttrust among Him you. to save (Joel 2:25 you? ESV)