A Father's Heart
[ READ ] Hosea 9–11
The Lord's Love for Israel
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more they were called,
the more they went away;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals
and burning offerings to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them up by their arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of kindness,
with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
and I bent down to them and fed them.
5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt,
but Assyria shall be their king,
because they have refused to return to me.
6 The sword shall rage against their cities,
consume the bars of their gates,
and devour them because of their own counsels.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me,
and though they call out to the Most High,
he shall not raise them up at all.
8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my burning anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.
10 They shall go after the Lord;
he will roar like a lion;
when he roars,
his children shall come trembling from the west;
11 they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,
and like doves from the land of Assyria,
and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
and the house of Israel with deceit,
but Judah still walks with God
and is faithful to the Holy One.
Hosea 11
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more they were called,
the more they went away;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals
and burning offerings to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them up by their arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of kindness,
with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
and I bent down to them and fed them.
5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt,
but Assyria shall be their king,
because they have refused to return to me.
6 The sword shall rage against their cities,
consume the bars of their gates,
and devour them because of their own counsels.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me,
and though they call out to the Most High,
he shall not raise them up at all.
8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my burning anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.
10 They shall go after the Lord;
he will roar like a lion;
when he roars,
his children shall come trembling from the west;
11 they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,
and like doves from the land of Assyria,
and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
and the house of Israel with deceit,
but Judah still walks with God
and is faithful to the Holy One.
Hosea 11
Hosea 9–11 is a heavy section. There’s warning, loss, and the mess that comes when people keep drifting from God. But right in the middle of it, we get something surprising, we get God’s heart.
In chapter 11, God talks like a parent remembering a child He raised. He taught them to walk. He picked them up when they fell. He bent down to feed them. He cared for them in ways they barely noticed.
Honestly, that sounds like a lot of our lives. We tend to notice God when things go wrong, but miss how often He has carried us all along. The help that showed up at the right time. Protection we didn’t even see. Strength we didn’t know we had. Grace we took for granted.
Before you ever thought much about Him, He was already caring for you.
- David Bempong
In chapter 11, God talks like a parent remembering a child He raised. He taught them to walk. He picked them up when they fell. He bent down to feed them. He cared for them in ways they barely noticed.
Honestly, that sounds like a lot of our lives. We tend to notice God when things go wrong, but miss how often He has carried us all along. The help that showed up at the right time. Protection we didn’t even see. Strength we didn’t know we had. Grace we took for granted.
Before you ever thought much about Him, He was already caring for you.
- David Bempong
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect:
+ What pictures of love do you notice in 11:1–4?
+ What do these verses show you about God?
+ What pictures of love do you notice in 11:1–4?
+ What do these verses show you about God?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life:
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.churchcenter.com/groups)
+ What is my next step?
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.churchcenter.com/groups)
+ What is my next step?
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