How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred! How could I give you up, O Ephraim?The name "Ephraim" refers to one of the tribes of Israel, often representing the Northern Kingdom as a whole. In Hebrew, "Ephraim" means "fruitful," symbolizing the abundance and blessing that God intended for His people. The rhetorical question "How could I give you up?" reveals God's deep emotional struggle and His reluctance to abandon His people despite their unfaithfulness. This reflects the covenantal love God has for Israel, akin to a parent's love for a child, emphasizing His desire for restoration rather than judgment. How could I surrender you, O Israel?
"Surrender" in this context implies handing over to destruction or allowing to be conquered. "Israel" here represents the collective identity of God's chosen people. The historical context is crucial, as Israel was often threatened by surrounding nations due to their disobedience. Yet, God's question underscores His protective nature and His unwillingness to let go of His covenant promises. It highlights the tension between divine justice and mercy, showcasing God's enduring commitment to His people. How could I make you like Admah?
Admah was one of the cities destroyed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 14:8, 19:24-25). Mentioning Admah serves as a stark warning of the consequences of sin and rebellion. However, the rhetorical question indicates God's reluctance to bring such total destruction upon Israel. It emphasizes His desire for repentance and redemption rather than annihilation, pointing to His patience and long-suffering nature. How could I treat you like Zeboiim?
Zeboiim, like Admah, was destroyed due to its wickedness. The mention of Zeboiim reinforces the severity of Israel's situation and the potential for divine judgment. Yet, God's questioning reveals His compassionate heart, unwilling to treat Israel with the same finality. This highlights the theme of divine mercy prevailing over judgment, encouraging the reader to reflect on God's grace and the opportunity for repentance. My heart is turned within Me
The phrase "My heart is turned within Me" conveys a profound emotional turmoil within God. The Hebrew word for "turned" can also mean "overturned" or "changed," indicating a deep internal conflict. This anthropomorphic expression reveals God's intense love and compassion, portraying Him as a God who is deeply affected by the plight of His people. It underscores the personal and relational nature of God, who is not indifferent to human suffering and rebellion. all My compassion is aroused
The word "compassion" in Hebrew is "rachamim," derived from the root word for "womb," suggesting a nurturing, motherly love. God's compassion being "aroused" indicates an active, fervent response to Israel's plight. This phrase encapsulates the essence of God's character—His mercy and readiness to forgive. It serves as a powerful reminder of the hope and restoration available through God's unfailing love, encouraging believers to trust in His compassionate nature. Persons / Places / Events 1. EphraimRepresents the northern kingdom of Israel, often used synonymously with Israel in the prophetic books. Ephraim was the largest tribe and thus symbolized the whole nation. 2. IsraelThe chosen people of God, often depicted in the Old Testament as a nation that struggles with faithfulness to God. 3. Admah and ZeboiimCities that were destroyed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah ( Genesis 14:8, Deuteronomy 29:23). They symbolize complete destruction and divine judgment. 4. God's CompassionThe verse highlights God's deep emotional struggle and compassion for His people, despite their unfaithfulness. 5. Prophet HoseaA prophet in the 8th century BC, whose life and message were a demonstration of God's love and faithfulness to unfaithful Israel. Teaching Points God's Reluctance to PunishDespite Israel's unfaithfulness, God is deeply reluctant to bring about their destruction. This highlights His patience and desire for repentance rather than punishment. Divine CompassionGod's heart is portrayed as compassionate and loving, even when His people are rebellious. This serves as a model for how we should approach others with grace and mercy. The Consequences of SinThe mention of Admah and Zeboiim serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of persistent sin and rebellion against God. Hope for RestorationGod's compassion indicates that there is always hope for restoration and redemption, no matter how far one has strayed. Reflecting God's HeartAs believers, we are called to reflect God's heart of compassion and mercy in our interactions with others, especially those who have wronged us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of Admah and Zeboiim enhance our comprehension of God's message in Hosea 11:8? 2. In what ways can we see God's compassion in our own lives, and how should that influence our behavior towards others? 3. How does the theme of divine compassion in Hosea 11:8 connect with the message of the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to reflect God's heart of compassion and mercy in our daily interactions? 5. How can the knowledge of God's reluctance to punish encourage us in our spiritual walk and in our efforts to share the Gospel with others? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 19The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, including Admah and Zeboiim, provides a backdrop for understanding the severity of judgment that God is contemplating but ultimately restrains from executing on Israel. Deuteronomy 29:23References the desolation of Admah and Zeboiim, emphasizing the completeness of their destruction as a warning to Israel. Lamentations 3:22-23Speaks of God's mercies being new every morning, reflecting His enduring compassion and faithfulness, similar to His heart in Hosea 11:8. Luke 15:11-32The Parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates God's compassion and willingness to forgive, akin to His feelings towards Israel in Hosea 11:8. People HoseaPlaces Admah, Assyria, Egypt, ZeboiimTopics Admah, Aroused, Cast, Changed, Compassion, Compassions, Deliver, Ephraim, E'phraim, Grows, Heart, Kindled, O, Pity, Recoils, Repentings, Saviour, Soft, Surrender, Tender, Treat, Warm, Within, Zeboiim, Zeboi'im, ZeboimDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 11:8 1055 God, grace and mercy
1120 God, repentance of
1160 God, unchangeable
5013 heart, divine
5036 mind, of God
6730 reinstatement
6733 repentance, nature of Hosea 11:8-9 1135 God, suffering of
1210 God, human descriptions
1310 God, as judge
2015 Christ, compassion
6233 rejection, experience
6712 propitiation Library Heaven's Nurse Children
The next sweet word in the chapter is sonship; "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." We are, according to the inspired apostle, "predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." Ephesians 1:5. Adoption follows hard upon the heels of election, and is another messenger of good tidings. Innumerable blessings come to us by this door. "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
(Bethlehem and Road Thence to Egypt, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 13-18. ^a 13 Now when they were departed [The text favors the idea that the arrival and departure of the magi and the departure of Joseph for Egypt, all occurred in one night. If so, the people of Bethlehem knew nothing of these matters], behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise [this command calls for immediate departure] and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt [This land was ever the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Eleventh Day. The Holy one of Israel.
I am the Lord that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. I the Lord which make you holy, am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45, xxi. 8. 'I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Thy Saviour. Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.'--Isa. xliii. 3, 14, 15. In the book of Exodus we found God making provision for the Holiness of His people. In the holy …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Quotations from the Old Testament in the New.
1. As it respects inspiration, and consequent infallible authority, the quotations of the New Testament stand on a level with the rest of the apostolic writings. The Saviour's promise was: "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth;" literally, "into all the truth," that is, as immediately explained, all the truth pertaining to the Redeemer's person and work. When, therefore, after the fulfilment of this promise, Peter and the other apostles expounded to their brethren …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Perseverance Proved.
2. I REMARK, that God is able to preserve and keep the true saints from apostacy, in consistency with their liberty: 2 Tim. i. 12: "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Here the apostle expresses the fullest confidence in the ability of Christ to keep him: and indeed, as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
They shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 I proceed now to the second part of the text. A promise annexed. They shall be filled'. A Christian fighting with sin is not like one that beats the air' (1 Corinthians 9:26), and his hungering after righteousness is not like one that sucks in only air, Blessed are they that hunger, for they shall be filled.' Those that hunger after righteousness shall be filled. God never bids us seek him in vain' (Isaiah 45:19). Here is an honeycomb dropping into the mouths of …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Hosea 11:8 NIVHosea 11:8 NLTHosea 11:8 ESVHosea 11:8 NASBHosea 11:8 KJV
Hosea 11:8 Commentaries
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