God proceeds in threatening Israel for their ingratitude: yet he will
not utterly destroy them.
11:1. As the morning passeth, so hath the king of Israel passed away.
Because Israel was a child, and I loved him: and I called my son out of
Egypt.
I called my son.... Viz., Israel. But as the calling of Israel out of
Egypt, was a figure of the calling of Christ from thence; therefore
this text is also applicable to Christ, as we learn from Matthew 2.15.
11:2. As they called them, they went away from before their face: they
offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols.
They called.... Viz., Moses and Aaron called; but they went away after
other gods and would not hear.
11:3. And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my
arms: and they knew not that I healed them.
11:4. I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love:
and I will be to them as one that taketh off the yoke on their jaws:
and I put his meat to him that he might eat.
11:5. He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian
shall be his king: because they would not be converted.
11:6. The sword hath begun in his cities, and it shall consume his
chosen men, and shall devour their heads.
11:7. And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put
upon them together, which shall not be taken off.
11:8. How shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O
Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my
heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up.
Adama, etc.... Adama and Seboim were two cities in the neighborhood of
Sodom: and underwent the like destruction.
11:9. I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath: I will not return
to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the
midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city.
11:10. They shall walk after the Lord, he shall roar as a lion: because
he shall roar, and the children of the sea shall fear.
11:11. And they shall fly away like a bird out of Egypt, and like a
dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will place them in their
own houses, saith the Lord.
11:12. Ephraim hath compassed me about with denials, and the house of
Israel with deceit: but Juda went down as a witness with God, and is
faithful with the saints.