| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. |
Israel – "Prevailer," the name applied well to Jesus. R436:1
I loved him – Love is the keynote of the Bible, notwithstanding the fact that it contains threatenings as well as promises, and declarations and manifestations of justice as well as mercy. R5809:2
Called my son – The Lord Jesus; to the higher, divine nature. C316
Out of Egypt – Out of the world. C316; R1681:6
This prophecy has three applications: the deliverance of the nominal house of Israel in the days of Pharaoh; the return of the infant Jesus to the land of his birth; and the ultimate deliverance of Christ and the entire Church of God. R1681:6, R436:1; C316
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| 2 The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and burned incense to the graven images. |
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| 3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk; I took them on my arms; but they knew not that I healed them. |
I taught Ephraim – Christendom. D22
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| 4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that lift up the yoke on their jaws; and I laid food before them. |
Bands of love – Love is the keynote of the Bible. R5809:2
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| 5 They shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to me. |
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| 6 And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels. |
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| 7 And my people are bent on backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him. |
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| 8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I cast thee off, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboiim? my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together. |
How shall I – Through Hosea, the Lord made loving appeals to Israel, as a father to his children. R3463:6
As Admah – "A desolate room." R3464:1
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| 9 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. |
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| 10 They shall walk after Jehovah, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children shall come trembling from the west. |
Walk after the LORD – The various chastisements of Israel were intended for their good and eventually made that nation, at the time of Jesus, the most holy people in all the world--the only people recognized by God. R5809:6
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| 11 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. |
The land of Assyria – Babylonia. R5809:2
I will place them – Although Israel had been unfaithful to the Lord, he would nevertheless loyally receive them again. R5809:2
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| 12 Ephraim compasseth me about with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Holy Ones. |
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