Hosea Part 08
God’s love for Israel will bring Israel back. As a father loves and corrects his children, God loves His children and does not abandon them. Israel’s restoration is the result of God’s immense love for His people.
In Hosea 11–12, we find a powerful blend of prophecy, historical reflection and deep expressions of God’s heart toward Israel. Hosea 11:1 begins with a dual prophecy—“Out of Egypt I called My son.” Originally referring to Israel as God’s son (Exodus 4:22), this also points to Jesus Christ, who returned from exile in Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15). This is an example of progressive revelation, where earlier scriptures reveal deeper meaning over time.
In verses 2–4, God recalls how He consistently blessed Israel and taught through prophets who called the people back to righteousness. Despite this, Israel would not respond. Hosea 11:5, often mistranslated in some versions like the NKJV, should read: “Will they not return to Egypt?” and “Won’t Assyria rule them?” This affirms that because Israel refused to return to God, captivity was inevitable. However, Hosea 11:11 points ahead to eventual redemption from both Egypt and Assyria, showing that God had not completely abandoned His people.
From the United Church of God Bible Commentary on Hosea 11,
"Perhaps the most striking use of heart in the Bible is in reference to God (Genesis 6:6; 8:21). The usage is similar to that applied to humankind and should be a reminder that we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God, after all, is a personal being who thinks, feels, desires and chooses.
"One of the most intriguing passages in this connection is found in Hosea 11. The prophet quotes God as saying that, while he will indeed punish Israel for their rebellion, he will not completely destroy them. The decision to refrain from their utter destruction was not easy; it was the result of God's inner turmoil: 'My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused; I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor devastate Ephraim again.' (Hosea 11:8-9 NIV)
"In the verse that follows, God justifies his change of mind on the basis of his divinity. Humankind, when angered, is naturally inclined toward a course of destruction of those who offend. But God is divine, not human, so his grace wins out" ("Heart," p. 369).
Hosea 11:3 shares familiar visual imagery of a father and his son, from God’s perspective.
“I taught Ephraim how to walk, taking them by their arms . . .”
We have likely seen photos of a father holding his toddler’s arm as they take shaky steps. God recalls helping establish Ephraim/Israel when they were young and in need of support in every way. He loves them and cannot abandon them fully. He will correct them, yet with a view toward their repentance and restoration.
In 11:6–7, Israel brings on its own suffering by rejecting God's messages through the prophets. But in the verses that follow, we see an extraordinary glimpse into God’s heart and the love He has for His people. Hosea 11:8 references Admah and Zeboim, cities destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 14:2,8; Deuteronomy 29:23). God says, “My heart churns within Me,” expressing real sorrow at having to punish Israel. This highlights God's deep emotional investment in His people, echoing Ezekiel 6:9, where God says, “I was crushed by their adulterous heart.”
Despite His anger, Hosea 11:9 shows that God controls His anger better than any human could and promises that He will not enter the city as an enemy. In verses 10–11, the prophecy shifts forward in time to what appears to be the end-time Second Exodus, when surviving Israelites from the Great Tribulation will return—not from the Northeast like Assyria, but from the West, Northwest Europe and America. The phrase “trembling as a bird” may describe the humbled state of survivors after such tribulation.
Hosea 11:12 seems to connect with chapter 12. While some translations say “Judah rules with God,” others interpret it as “Judah is unruly to the Faithful One.” The following verses (12:1–2) confirm that Judah also had become rebellious and would not escape punishment. The east wind may symbolize the power of Assyria, which would soon bring destruction.
In 12:3–5, Hosea uses the story of Jacob as an allegory for the nation of Israel. Jacob, early in life, relied on his own power but eventually came to trust in God. He wrestled with the angel and was renamed Israel, meaning “he who prevails with God” (Genesis 32:28). At Bethel, the house of God, Jacob received divine promises (Genesis 28:12–17), but Israel later turned it into Beth Aven, a center of idolatry with a golden calf. Thus, the nation had gone from relying on God to rebelling against Him.
Hosea 12:6 calls the people to follow Jacob’s example:
“Return to your God, observe mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually.”
This echoes Micah 6:8 and Matthew 23:23—urging us all to live by faith, practicing the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith.
In verses 7–8, Ephraim, representing modern Britain, is described as a powerful merchant nation along with the U.S. However, they were also known to abuse others in the process of their business. The word Canaanite in some translations means merchant, linking dishonest trade practices to spiritual corruption.
Verses 9–10 mention dwelling in tabernacles, which could symbolize 1) being in captivity or exile, or 2) a future millennial setting when the Feast of Tabernacles is kept worldwide (Zechariah 14:16). God emphasizes that He never fails to proclaim truth by His prophets (Amos 3:7).
In the final verses of chapter 12 we see how Israel was diligent to set up idols and sacrifice to them, a tragic contrast to Jacob’s diligence when working 14 years to earn Rachel. Finally, Hosea 12:13–14 reminds us that by a prophet, God brought Israel out of Egypt—referring to Moses as a type of Christ, who delivers His people from sin (Acts 3:18–23). Yet, Israel rebelled and provoked God, and for this, God will punish.
God is purposeful in His judgment on Israel and it breaks His heart. We can individually do our best to appreciate God’s love and please Him with our thoughts and actions.
© Frank Dunkle, 2025. All rights reserved.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
