Tyndale Open Study NotesHosea 11

God grieved over Israel’s unfaithfulness. Even after all he had done for them, Israel had turned into a rebellious people. Justice required serious punishment, but the final decision about Israel’s future would come from God’s tender compassion for his people, not from an abstract rule.

My son: The Lord adopted Israel when he delivered them from Egypt. This verse refers to Jesus in Matthew 2:15 (see study note on Matthew 4:1–11).

Despite God's love, Israel acted like a rebellious child, offering sacrifices to Baal. The punishment for a rebellious son was death (Deuteronomy 21:18–21).

God cared for the young nation of Israel with kindness and love.

Since the Israelites refused to return to the Lord, they would go back to Egypt and serve Assyria. Their past slavery in Egypt symbolized their future exile in Assyria.

• Although justice required Israel's death, the Lord hesitated to give up Israel, let them go, or destroy his son.

• Admah and Zeboiim were cities near Sodom and Gomorrah that God completely destroyed (Deuteronomy 29:23).

• In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of intellect and will.

• I will not: The Lord alone would decide Israel’s fate. God repeated I will not three times to stress his choice not to destroy his people completely.

• The reason for this divine decision is, I am … the Holy One among you. God's holiness sets him apart from all creation (see “God’s Absolute Holiness” Theme Note). An offended person might destroy a rebel out of anger and spite. The Holy One does not act from those motives.

Israel’s sin would not be the final word. God, in his holy love, would roar like a lion (see Amos 1:2; 3:8) to call his people home from exile in Babylon.

Israel has engaged in deception and dishonesty since Jacob's time.