11:1
It is vital that we read Hosea as a whole, just as it is important that we read the Bible as a whole. If we pick out a verse or even a section from here or there we can get either the message “God loves Israel”, or “God is going to inflict terrible judgement upon Israel because of her sin”. To understand the message we to fully take on board both messages. Hosea can in some ways viewed as a drama, with the holiness of God, the terribleness of Israel’s sin and God’s righteous anger against that sin, playing out against God’s love for Israel and deep desire to redeem them. Indeed, in many ways this is what the whole of the Bible is about.
11:2-4
God loved Israel, indeed He created Israel. Just as He created us all, and loved us all. Yet Israel rebelled again and again, despite repeated warnings and discipline. Instead of worshipping the God who created them and saved them, they persisted in worshipping Baals and other idols. Yet it was God who gave Ephraim all that they had. He treated them with loving kindness. When Jesus came to earth He set people free, healing them and casting out demons, yet all the thanks He got was to be nailed to a cross.
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