Hosea 11

Reversal of the Exodus: Return to Egypt and Exile in Assyria 1

When Israel was a young man, I loved him like a son,

and I summoned my son out of Egypt.

2

But the more I summoned them,

the farther they departed from me.

They sacrificed to the Baal idols

and burned incense to images.

3

Yet it was I who led Ephraim,

I took them by the arm;

but they did not acknowledge

that I had healed them.

4

I led them with leather cords,

with leather ropes;

I lifted the yoke from their neck,

and gently fed them.

5

They will return to Egypt!

Assyria will rule over them

because they refuse to repent!

6

A sword will flash in their cities,

it will destroy the bars of their city gates,

and will devour them in their fortresses.

7

My people are obsessed with turning away from me;

they call to Baal, but he will never exalt them!

The Divine Dilemma: Judgment or Mercy? 8

How can I give you up, O Ephraim?

How can I surrender you, O Israel?

How can I treat you like Admah?

How can I make you like Zeboiim?

I have had a change of heart!

All my tender compassions are aroused!

9

I cannot carry out my fierce anger!

I cannot totally destroy Ephraim!

Because I am God, and not man – the Holy One among you –

I will not come in wrath!

God Will Restore the Exiles to Israel 10

He will roar like a lion,

and they will follow the Lord;

when he roars,

his children will come trembling from the west.

11

They will return in fear and trembling

like birds from Egypt,

like doves from Assyria,

and I will settle them in their homes,” declares the Lord.

God’s Lawsuit against Israel: Breach of Covenant 12

Ephraim has surrounded me with lies;

the house of Israel has surrounded me with deceit.

But Judah still roams about with God;

he remains faithful to the Holy One.