God's New Revelations

The Prophet Hosea

Unlocked Dynamic Bible :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 11 -

(Matthew 2:13–15)
1
Yahweh says, “When the nation of Israel was like a young man, I loved him. He was like a son to me, whom I called out of Egypt.
2
But the more I called out to them, the more they ran away. Day after day they offered their sacrifices to the idols named Baal, and they burned incense to honor them.
3
But it was I who taught them to do everything good, as a father teaches his son to walk. I was like a father, holding them by their little arms. But they did not understand that I was the one who was taking care of them.
4
With kindness I guided them, with the tender cords of human kindness I led them. I loved them so much that I guided them and led by my own hand. They worked very hard, like a yoke of oxen pulling a plow, but I made their yoke light and loosened its weight on their jaws, so they did not suffer pain.
5
But Israel will certainly return to Egypt, and Assyria will certainly rule over them, because they refused to turn back to me and worship me as their God.
6
Their enemies will attack Israel’s cities with swords; their enemies will destroy the bars that keep their gates closed and safe. Their enemies will destroy the people of Israel and put an end to all the plans they made.
7
My people are determined to turn away from me. They pretend to call out to me, the Most High God, but I will allow no one to help them.

God’s Love for Israel

8
But you people of Israel, dear Israel, I cannot abandon you. I cannot give you over to your enemies. I do not want to act toward you as I acted toward Admah or make you like Zeboyim, cities that I destroyed along with Sodom. I have changed my mind about punishing you; I earnestly long to have mercy on you.
9
I have decided not to punish you severely. I do not want to destroy you, the people of my Israel, whom I love. Human beings would easily decide to do that, but I am God, not human. I am the Holy One who lives among you; I will not come to you and be angry with you.
10
They will live their lives following my commands. I will roar like a lion. And when I roar, my people will hear and will come trembling. They will come back to me from far away, from the west they will come back to me.
11
They will come fluttering into the land like a flock of birds coming up from Egypt. And some will be like pigeons that fly in from Assyria. I will let them live in their own homes once more, in the land of Israel. I, Yahweh, have promised this.”
12
“The people of Israel have continually lied to me. But the people of Judah they still obey me and are faithful to me, the Holy One.”
(Matthew 2:13–15)
1
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
2
They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.
3
Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn’t know that I healed them.
4
I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.
5
They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.
6
The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.
7
My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.

God’s Love for Israel

8
“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.
9
I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.
10
They will walk after the LORD, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.
11
They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says the LORD.
12
Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.