Today's Scripture Meaning
Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Hosea
Date Penned: BC 715 (Covering Events BC 753-715)
Overview: God's Wayward People (c 4-14)
Theme: God's Love for Israel (c 11-14)
Message: God's Fatherly Love (v 1-12)
Hosea: Chapter 11 Commentary
(11:1) In the final four chapters the Lord has Hosea shift to the theme of God's intense love for Israel. God had always loved Israel as a parent loves a stubborn child, and that is why he would not release them from the consequences of their behavior. The Israelites were sinful, and they would be punished like a wayward son brought by his parents before the elders (Deuteronomy chapter 21) God repeatedly offered to restore the nation if it would only turn to him. By stubbornly refusing his invitation the Northern Kingdom sealed its doom and they would be destroyed. Israel as a nation was not finished though as a remnant of faithful Israelites would return to Jerusalem where one day the Messiah would come, offering pardon, and reconciliation to all who would faithfully follow him.
(11:3) The Lord had consistently provided for his people but they refused to see what he had done, and they showed no interest in thanking him. They were ungrateful.
(11:4) God's discipline requires times of leading and times of feeding. Sometimes the rope is tight and sometimes it is slack. God's discipline is always loving. When you are called to discipline others (children, students, employees, etc) do not be rigid. Your goal should be one of correction with the goal of making a disciple and not punishment for a failure.
(11:5) The Northern Kingdom survived for only two centuries after its break with Jerusalem. Its spiritual and political leaders did not help the people learn the way to God, so as a nation they would never repent. Hosea prophesied its downfall, which happened when Salmaneser of Assyria conquered Israel in 722 BC. Judah also would go into captivity, but a remnant would return to their homeland.
(11:8) Admah and Aeboim were cities of the plain that perished with Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 14, Deuteronomy 29)
(11:9) "I am God, and not man" it is easy for us to define God in terms of our own expectations and behavior. In doing so, we make him just slightly larger than ourselves. When in reality, he is infinitely greater than we are. We should seek to become like him rather than attempting to remake him in our image
(11:12) Unlike Israel, Judah had some fairly good kings. Asa, Jehosaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzzi, Jotham, and especially Hezekiah and Josiah. Under some of these Kings God's Law was dusted off and taught to the people. The Priests continued to serve in God's appointed Temple in Jerusalem and the feasts were celebrated at least some of the time. Unfortunately, the political or religious leaders were unable to completely wipe out idol worship and pagan rites which continued to fester until they eventually ruptured and infected the whole country. Still, the influence of the good kings enabled Judah to survive more than 150 years longer than Israel and within the kingdom a small group of faithful people would one day return and restore their land and Temple.
β
β
β
β
β
β
β
β