---
title: "Wesley"
description: "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. Was a child — In the infancy of Israel. I loved him — Manifested my tender and"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/wesleys-explanatory-notes/hosea/11"
---

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
*Was a child* — In the infancy of Israel.
*I loved him* — Manifested my tender and paternal affection to him.
*Called my son* — Adopted him to be my son, and as my son, provided for him, and brought him out of servitude.
*Out of Egypt* — But Israel, the first adopted son was a type of Christ the first-born. And the history of Israel's coming out was a type of Christ's future coming out of Egypt.

As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
*They* — Moses and Aaron, and other prophets.
*Called* — Persuaded, intreated, and urged by exhortations, the whole house of Israel.
*From them* — From the prophets counsel and commands.
*Baalim* — In the desert they began this apostacy, and held on with obstinacy in it.

I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
*I taught* — As a mother or nurse helps the child.
*Taking them* — Supporting and bearing them up.
*They knew not* — They would not see nor acknowledge me in it.

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.
*Cords of man* — With such kindness as best fits and most prevails with a man.
*I was to them* — As a careful husband-man in due season takes the yoke from his labouring oxen, and takes off the muzzle with which they were kept from eating, when at work.
*I laid meat unto them* — Brought them provision in their wants.

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
*He* — Ephraim.
*Shall be king* — Shall rule them with rigour and cruelty.
*They refused* — The reason of all is, their obstinacy in idolatry.

And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
*His branches* — The lesser towns and villages.
*Their own counsels* — Which they have followed in opposition to all the good counsels the prophets gave them from time to time.

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
*They* — The prophets.
*None at all* — Scarce any one would hearken and obey.

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.
*Give thee up* — To utter destruction. Admah and Zeboim were two of the four cities which were destroyed with fire from heaven.
*My repentings* — Not that God is ever fluctuating or unresolved; but these are expressions after the manner of men, to shew what severity Israel had deserved, and yet how divine grace would be glorified in sparing them.

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 enter into the city.
*Return* — Conquerors that plunder the conquered city, carry away the wealth of it, and after some time return to burn it; God will not do so.
*Not man* — Therefore my compassions fail not.
*The holy One* — A holy God, and in covenant, though not with all, yet with many among you.
*Enter into the city* — Utterly to destroy thee, as I did Sodom.

They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
*They* — The remnant shall hear and obey the Lord.
*Like a lion* — The word of the Lord, so saith the Chaldee, shall roar as a lion. Christ is called, The lion of the tribe of Judah: and when he cried with a loud voice, it was as when a lion roared. The voice of the gospel was heard far, as the roaring of a lion; and it was a mighty voice.
*Tremble* — The spirit by its power awakening them to a sight of sin, shall make them fear and tremble.
*From the west* — From the ends of the earth.

They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
*They shall tremble* — At their return into their own land, some shall hasten, yet with solicitude, out of Egypt, whither they fled for shelter; others like doves shall hasten out of Assyria, but with fear and trembling.
*I will place them* — A seasonable and comfortable promise.

Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
*Ephraim* — Most of the people of Israel.
*With lies* — Play the hypocrite with me still.
*Judah* — The two tribes.
*Yet ruleth* — While idolaters are slaves to the devil, the true worshippers of God, like princes, rule with God.
*Faithful* — Retains purity, at least truth of worship, and comparatively is faithful. Judah adheres to God's holy prophets, priests, and other saints of God.

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