EGW WritingsHosea 11

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 26—“Behold Your God!”

PK 311.2

In losing sight of the true character of Jehovah, the Israelites were without excuse. Often had God revealed Himself to them as one “full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15. “When Israel was a child,” He testified, “then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt.” Hosea 11:1.

The Review and Herald

March 18, 1915

RH March 18, 1915, par. 2

In losing sight of the true character of Jehovah, the Israelites were without excuse. Often had God revealed himself to them as one “full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15. “When Israel was a child,” he testified, “then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” Hosea 11:1.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 12, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 12, 1903, par. 9

“When Israel was a child then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. ... I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with the cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. ... The sword shall abide in his cities, and shall consume his branches and devour them, because of their own counsels. And my people are bent to backsliding from Me, though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt Him.” [Hosea 11:1, 3, 4, 6, 7.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 8, 1892

7LtMs, Ms 8, 1892, par. 28

Great is the mercy of the Lord toward those who have departed from Him. He says: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within me; my repentings are kindled together.” [Hosea 11:1, 8.]

The Review and Herald

January 29, 1914

RH January 29, 1914, par. 5

Sinful and rebellious though the children of Israel had been, the Lord had ever regarded them with compassion, and by every possible means had tried to win them back to himself. “When Israel was a child,” the Lord declared, “then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” Hosea 11:1. He had led his chosen ones into the promised land, and established them there that they might be a blessing to the whole earth. “I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms,” he declared, “but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.” Verses 1-3. “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.” Verse 8.

RH January 29, 1914, par. 6

The Lord had rebuked Israel for their evil doing and had pleaded with them to mend their ways. “I have also spoken by the prophets,” he said, “and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.” Hosea 12:10. Through the prophet that appeared to Jeroboam before the altar at Bethel, through Elijah and Elisha, through Amos and Hosea, God had repeatedly set before Israel the sure result of disobedience. But notwithstanding reproof and entreaty, Israel sank lower and lower in apostasy. “Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer,” the Lord declared. Hosea 4:16. “My people are bent to backsliding from me.” Hosea 11:7.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)

Lt 132, 1909

24LtMs, Lt 132, 1909, par. 7

“When Israel was a child then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burnt incense to graven images. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.” [Hosea 11:1-4.]

24LtMs, Lt 132, 1909, par. 8

The Lord gave to His people advantages which they failed to recognize. “My people,” He says, “are bent to backsliding from Me: though they called them to the Most High, none at all would exalt Him. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within Me, My repentings are kindled together.” [Verses 7, 8.] Read also the promises of blessing to Israel on condition of their repentance, recorded in the fourteenth chapter of Hosea. These Scriptures were written in times past, but they have also a present-day application.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8

His Long-Suffering Mercy

8T 275.7

“When Israel was a child, then I loved him,
And called My son out of Egypt.” Hosea 11:1.

8T 276.2

“The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them....
Yet I taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them on My arms;
But they knew not that I healed them.
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love....
My people are bent on backsliding from Me:
Though they call them to Him that is on high,
None at all will exalt Him.” Hosea 11:2-7, A. R. V.

8T 277.2

My compassions are kindled together.
I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger,
I will not return to destroy Ephraim:
For I am God, and not man;
The Holy One in the midst of thee;
And I will not come in wrath.” Hosea 11:8, 9, A. R. V.

8T 277.4

“They shall walk after Jehovah. . . .
The children shall come trembling from the west.
They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt,
And as a dove out of the land of Assyria;
And I will make them to dwell in their houses, saith Jehovah.” Hosea 11:10, 11, A. R. V.

Testimony for the Church — No. 27

Jeremiah.

T27 42.1

He entreated them to hear the words that he spoke. He cited them to the prophecies of Hosea, Habakuk, Zephaniah, and others whose messages of reproof and warning had been similar to his own. He referred them to events which had transpired in their history in fulfillment of the prophecies of retribution for unrepented sins. Sometimes, as in this case, men had arisen in opposition to the message of God, and predicted peace and prosperity, to quiet the fears of the people, and gain the favor of those in high places. But in every past instance the judgment of God had been visited upon Israel, as the true prophets had indicated. Said he “The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known that the Lord hath truly sent him.” If Israel chose to run the risk, future developments would effectually decide which was the false prophet.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 82, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 82, 1895, par. 1

Sabbath, October 19, the gathering at the tent was larger than we expected, as in the forenoon meetings were held by our people in the different churches. Hereafter all will come to the ground on Sabbath and Sunday. In the forenoon Brother Corliss spoke from Hosea words that were full of instruction. I spoke in the afternoon from the fourth [chapter] of John: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [Verse 10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 149, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 149, 1900, par. 15

We feel that the instruction contained in the fourteenth chapter of Hosea is present truth. The time has come for all who know the truth to close up the ranks. Please read the eleventh chapter of Hosea; it is applicable for this time.

The Review and Herald

February 5, 1914

RH February 5, 1914, par. 3

Forgetting their Maker, Israel “deeply corrupted themselves.... They went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.” Hosea 9:9, 10. “They sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.” Hosea 11:2. The idolatry that they practiced called for the abandonment of every uplifting and ennobling principle.

RH February 5, 1914, par. 4

The prophets Hosea and Amos continued to lift their voices in solemn protest against evil. The transgressors were given many opportunities to repent. “I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger,” the Lord promised, “I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee.” Verse 9.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 24—“Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge”

PK 296.3

The enemy of God’s church upon the earth had not, however, taken fully into account the compassionate nature of Him who “will by no means clear the guilty,” yet whose glory it is to be “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Exodus 34:6, 7. Despite the efforts of Satan to thwart God’s purpose for Israel, nevertheless even in some of the darkest hours of their history, when it seemed as if the forces of evil were about to gain the victory, the Lord graciously revealed Himself. He spread before Israel the things that were for the welfare of the nation. “I have written to him the great things of My law,” He declared through Hosea, “but they were counted as a strange thing.” “I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.” Hosea 8:12; 11:3. Tenderly had the Lord dealt with them, instructing them by His prophets line upon line, precept upon precept.

The Review and Herald

February 19, 1914

RH February 19, 1914, par. 10

This prophecy, fulfilled in part in the time of the judges of Israel, met a more complete and terrible fulfillment in the captivity of Israel in Assyria and of Judah in Babylon. During the passing centuries, from generation to generation, Satan made repeated attempts to cause Israel to forget “the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments” (Deuteronomy 6:1) that they had promised to keep forever; for he knew that if he could only lead Israel to forget God, and to “walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them,” the chosen nation would surely perish. Deuteronomy 8:19. But the enemy of all souls had not taken into account the long-suffering of Him who “will by no means clear the guilty,” yet whose glory it is to be “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Exodus 34:6, 7. Despite the efforts of Satan to thwart God’s purpose for his chosen people, yet even in some of the darkest hours of Israel’s history, when it seemed as if the forces of evil were about to gain the victory, the Lord graciously revealed himself. He spread before Israel the things that were for their welfare as a nation. “I have written to him the great things of my law,” he declared, of Israel through Hosea, “but they were counted as a strange thing.” Hosea 8:12. “I taught Ephraim also to go,” he declared “taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.” Hosea 11:3. Tenderly the Lord dealt with them, instructing them by his prophets, line upon line, and precept upon precept.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 24—A Nation “Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge”

SS 158.2

The enemy of God’s church on the earth had not, however, taken into account the compassionate nature of Him whose glory it is to be “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity.” Exodus 34:6, 7. Even in the darkest hours of their history, the Lord graciously spread before Israel the things that were for the welfare of the nation. “It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,” He declared through Hosea. “I took them up in My arms; but they did not know that I healed them.” Hosea 11:3, RSV.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 14, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 14, 1903, par. 35

God does not cast us off because we make mistakes. Of Ephraim He says, “I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms. ... I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.” [Hosea 11:3, 4.]

Lift Him Up

The Shepherd Leads the Way, July 9

LHU 204.2

The Eastern shepherd does not drive his sheep. He depends not upon force or fear; but going before, he calls them. They know his voice, and obey the call. So does the Saviour-Shepherd with His sheep. The Scripture says, “Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Through the prophet, Jesus declares, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” He compels none to follow Him. “I drew them,” He says, “with cords of a man, with bands of love” (Psalm 77:20; Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 11:4).

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 52—The Divine Shepherd

DA 480.2

“He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.... And the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice.” The Eastern shepherd does not drive his sheep. He depends not upon force or fear; but going before, he calls them. They know his voice, and obey the call. So does the Saviour-Shepherd with His sheep. The Scripture says, “Thou leddest Thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Through the prophet, Jesus declares, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” He compels none to follow Him. “I drew them,” He says, “with cords of a man, with bands of love.” Psalm 77:20; Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 11:4.

Living by Principle

The Power of Influence

PH048 10.2

Hosea 11:4: I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.

With God at Dawn

God Will Remove Our Yoke of Sin, February 13

WGD 46.1

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. Hosea 11:4.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 145, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 145, 1902, par. 12

We are the Saviour’s little children. His name is Christ our Righteousness. What has wrought in the sinner the change that impels him to obey the Lord, to serve Him with devotion, gladness, self-denial? Faith, unselfish faith. It is faith that unbars the gates of the soul. How marvelous the transformation wrought in the life when faith opens the door of the heart to the Saviour. He who was once far from God realizes the meaning of the words, “I drew them by the cords of a man, with bands of love.” [Hosea 11:4.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 23—The Assyrian Captivity

PK 281.1

Through the man of God that had appeared before the altar at Bethel, through Elijah and Elisha, through Amos and Hosea, the Lord had repeatedly set before the ten tribes the evils of disobedience. But notwithstanding reproof and entreaty, Israel had sunk lower and still lower in apostasy. “Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer,” the Lord declared; “My people are bent to backsliding from Me.” Hosea 4:16; 11:7.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 23—The Decline and Fall of Israel

SS 151.4

The Lord had repeatedly set before the ten tribes the evils of disobedience. But notwithstanding reproof and entreaty, Israel had sunk still lower in apostasy. The Lord declared, “My people are bent on turning away from Me.” Hosea 11:7, RSV.

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 18—“Go Into the Highways and Hedges”

COL 235.2

The Saviour says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20. He is not repulsed by scorn or turned aside by threatening, but continually seeks the lost ones, saying, “How shall I give thee up?” Hosea 11:8. Although His love is driven back by the stubborn heart, He returns to plead with greater force, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” The winning power of His love compels souls to come in. And to Christ they say, “Thy gentleness hath made me great.” Psalm 18:35.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 7a, 1886

4LtMs, Ms 7a, 1886, par. 7

The last clause comes from His pale and quivering lips. “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” He has done what He could for the people, but they would not come to Him that they might have life. We look with sorrow when we see a mother weeping over the bed of her dying child, but here was a sorrow a hundredfold greater than that of the mother for her child. “How can I give thee up? O Jerusalem,” was the language of our Saviour. [Hosea 11:8.] He exclaims in one place, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, ... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37. What loving care He would have had for them! Christ came to our world in human form, and He would have encircled them with His human arm while with His divine arm He would have connected them with the God of heaven. The apostle exclaims, “Who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth?” Galatians 3:1. He will ask you today, What has come over you that you will not come to God and in full sincerity receive your Saviour? Certainly it is a benumbing power that has come over the souls of many who have had a knowledge of the truth, that they cannot understand the great love of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 30, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 30, 1890, par. 21

Christ’s heart had said, “How can I give thee up.” [Hosea 11:8.] He had dealt with Israel as a loving forgiving father would [deal] with an ungrateful, wayward child. With the eye of Omniscience He saw that the city <of Jerusalem> had decided her own destiny. For centuries there had been a turning away from God. Grace had been resisted, privileges abused, opportunities slighted. The people themselves had been loading the cloud of vengeance which unmingled with mercy was about to burst upon them. With choked, half-broken utterance, Christ exclaimed, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] The irrevocable sentence was pronounced.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 21, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 21, 1895, par. 2

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” [1 John 4:10.] Here is language that expresses His mind toward a corrupt and idolatrous people: “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned in me, my repentings are kindled together.” [Hosea 11:8.] Must He give up the people for whom such a provision had been made, even His only begotten Son, the express image of Himself? God permitted His Son to be delivered up for our offenses. He Himself assumes toward the Sin Bearer the character of a judge, divesting Himself of the endearing qualities of a father.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 19, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 19, 1897, par. 59

Judas would not be cleansed by repentance, remorse, and confession. His last chance was being offered him. In his heart Jesus felt the keenest hunger for that soul. His soul had a similar burden as when on the crest of Olivet He wept over the doomed city. In His agony of tears His heart said, “How can I give thee up.” [Hosea 11:8.] “O if thou hadst known, even now in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] Judas’ last chance was gone.

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 17—“Spare it this Year Also”

COL 217.2

You realize, though it may be but dimly, that you are a cumberer of the ground. Yet in His great mercy God has not cut you down. He does not look coldly upon you. He does not turn away with indifference, or leave you to destruction. Looking upon you He cries, as He cried so many centuries ago concerning Israel, “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? ... I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man.” Hosea 11:8, 9. The pitying Saviour is saying concerning you, Spare it this year also, till I shall dig about it and dress it.