Hosea 11:2-4

2. Jehovah’s love was met with bitter ingratitude.

As they called R.V., “The more the prophets called.” The prophets is not in the Hebrew, but the Revisers were correct in supplying it as the subject (compare Hosea 11:7). Jehovah did not cease calling when the efforts of Moses proved a partial failure; he raised up prophets (Amos 2:11-12), but the more earnestly these labored the more stubborn the resistance of the people (compare Isaiah 6:9-10; Jeremiah 7:25-26). Notwithstanding the people’s obstinacy, the activity of the prophets was not a failure; it resulted in the preservation of a remnant out of which might grow a new nation of God.

Much did the prophets expect of this remnant, and much did it accomplish, though not all that the prophets expected. Nevertheless it prepared the way for him who alone was able to finish the work. A very slight change in the text, supported in part by LXX. and Peshitto, would give, “The more I called them, the more they went from me.”

Baalim See on Hosea 2:5.

Burned incense See on Hosea 2:13.

Graven images See on Micah 5:13. Hosea 11:1-2; Hosea 11:1-2 aptly describe the religious history from the Exodus to the days of Hosea; on the one hand, the intense love and care of Jehovah, on the other, the persistent rebellion of the people.

Hosea 11:3 presents the tender care of Jehovah under the figure of a parent’s gentle dealings with his child. I Emphatic in Hebrew; in contrast to the Baalim.

Ephraim The northern kingdom.

Taught… to go Directed their footsteps in a providential way, kept them from falling and, when they did fall, helped them to rise again. Taking them by their arms Literally (though the Hebrew form is peculiar), he took them upon his arms. R.V., following most ancient versions, “I took them on my arms.” A climax to the preceding. I lovingly taught the young child to walk, and when he grew weary I lovingly took him upon my arms and carried him (Isaiah 63:9; Deuteronomy 1:31).

They knew not See on Hosea 2:8.

That I healed them A common figure in Hosea (Hosea 5:13; Hosea 6:1; Hosea 7:1; compare Exodus 15:26). To get the full meaning it is necessary to supply the thought, “When in their attempt to walk they fell and hurt themselves.”

Hosea 11:4 contains a new figure of the fatherly care of Jehovah. “Israel is no longer the wanton young cattle of the previous chapter (Hosea 10:11), which needs the yoke firmly fastened on the neck but a team of toiling oxen mounting some steep road.” Jehovah acted not the part of a cruel driver, but in a humane manner assisted the animal to accomplish its task.

Drew Not drove; he lent a helping hand to the weary beast.

Cords of a man Such as are adapted to a human being; these are bands (cords) of love Used in a spirit of love. Through love he sought to control and guide.

Take off [“lift up”] the yoke on their jaws While he gladly assisted the animal, he did not and could not take the whole task upon himself. The yoke remained upon the animal, but he placed it so it would not press too heavily upon the neck and jaws (cheeks) and make them sore. The manner of easing the yoke to which the prophet refers is not quite clear, since we do not know sufficiently the form of the ancient yoke.

I laid meat unto them [“food before them”] Literally, and gently I laid food before them, or, better still, And I bent toward him and gave him food. The task done, plenty of food was given to the animal. Thus in an indulgent and compassionate manner Jehovah supplied the needs of his people.