Hosea 11:1. When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
God's love was very early love. He began with the nation of Israel when it was a mere handful of men in Egypt. There he multiplied them; and, in due time, he called them out from among the heathen. God's love to some of us manifested itself at a very early period of our lives, when we were yet children. It is among our most joyous memories that we have known the Lord from our youth up. Happy man, happy woman, of whom God can say, as he said concerning his ancient people, «When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.»
Hosea 11:2. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
The nation of Israel did not fulfill the promise of its youth; it was not faithful to God. The people heard from the lips of Moses the command «Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:» yet they turned aside continually to the idols of the nations. Have not some of us also, although we have been loved by God, been faithless to him? Can we not look back, with great regret and sorrow, upon our many stumblings and backslidings? If it be so, let us repent of our sin, and never repeat it.
Hosea 11:3. I taught Ephraim also to go,
Just as nurses teach children to walk: «I taught Ephraim also to go,»
Hosea 11:3. Taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
God has done great things for many of us who, possibly, have never noticed his hand at work on our behalf. Lives which were in great peril have been saved, yet the goodness of God has never been acknowledged by those whom he has delivered. Men have been raised up from beds of sickness, yet the great and good Healer has never been thanked for what he has done for them. Oh, how sad it is that God should do too much for us, and yet that we should not even thank him for doing it.
Hosea 11:4. 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.
As men do with the bullocks that have been ploughing, lifting the yoke from them, and giving them rest and food before they have to begin ploughing again. So did God to Israel, and so has he done to us. He lifted from us the heavy burden of our sin, and he gave us rest and heavenly food. But oh, what a poor return we have made for all the thoughtful kindness of our God! If any man here imagines that he can boast of his conduct towards his God, he does not feel as I do. Rather dear friends, I think that we all ought to humble ourselves in the Lord's presence when we remember what ill returns we have made for all that he has done for us.
Hosea 11:5-6. He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
If men will sin, they shall suffer; and God's people will be the first to suffer for their sins against the Lord, as he said by the mouth of the prophet Amos, «You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.» If a man lets other men's children go unchastened, he will chastise his own children, if he is worthy of the name of a father; and God will do the same. He will not destroy us, but he will chasten us if we backslide from him.
Hosea 11:7-8. And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the Most High, none at all would exalt him. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel?
There seems to be a contest in the heart of God; at least, that is how he describes it himself, as though mercy pleaded with justice, and love contended with wrath: «How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel?
Hosea 11:8. How shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim?
«I cannot destroy thee, as I destroyed the guilty cities of the plain in the days of old.»
Hosea 11:8. Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
O backsliders, if God's repentings are kindled, will not yours also be kindled? If you have left him, and yet he will not give you up, Will you give him up? Will you not return to him? Listen to his own words:
Hosea 11:9. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man;
What a mercy this is for us! If the Lord had been man, he would have cast us off long ago; but, as he is God he is infinitely patient, and he loves to forgive: «I am God, and not man;»
Hosea 11:9-10. The Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. They shall walk after the LORD:
See what his almighty grace will do to make these wanderers come back to him.
Hosea 11:10. He shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
Even his roaring like a lion will only make them tremblingly come back to him.
Hosea 11:11-12. 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. 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.
This exposition consisted of readings from Hosea 11,, 14.