| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. |
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 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baals, and burned incense to graven images. |
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| 3 And I it was that taught Ephraim to walk, --He took them upon his arms, --but they knew not that I healed them. |
I taught Ephraim – Christendom. D22
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| 4 I drew them with bands of a man, with cords of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I gently caused them to eat. |
Bands of love – Love is the keynote of the Bible. R5809:2
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| 5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king; for they refused to return to me; |
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| 6 and the sword shall turn about in his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels. |
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| 7 Yea, my people are bent upon backsliding from me: though they call them to the Most High, none at all exalteth him2. |
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| 8 How shall I give thee over, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee up, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my repentings 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 again destroy Ephraim; for I am *God, and not man, --the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not come in anger. |
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| 10 They shall walk after Jehovah; he shall roar like a lion; when he shall roar, then the children shall hasten 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 hasten as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will cause 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 encompasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet walketh with *God, and with the holy things of truth. |
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