11:1 When Israel a [was] a child, then I loved him, and called
my son out of Egypt.
(a) While the Israelites were in Egypt, and did not provoke
my wrath by their malice and ingratitude.
11:2 [As] they called them, so they b went from them: they
sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven
images.
(b) They rebelled and went a contrary way when the Prophets
called them to repentance.
11:4 I drew them with cords c 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.
(c) That is, friendly, and not as beasts or slaves.
11:5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the
Assyrian shall be his d king, because they refused to
return.
(d) Seeing that they condemn all this kindness, they will
be led captive into Assyria.
11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though e
they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt
[him].
(e) That is, the Prophets.
11:8f How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I
deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as g Admah?
[how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned
within me, h my repentings are kindled together.
(f) God considers with himself, and that with a certain
grief, how to punish them.
(g) Which were two of the cities that were destroyed with
Sodom; (De 29:23).
(h) Meaning that his love with which he first loved them
positioned him between doubt and assurance in terms of
what to do: and in this appears his Fatherly affection,
that his mercy toward his own will overcome his
judgments, as he declares in the next verse.
11:9 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 i enter
into the city.
(i) To consume you, but will cause you to yield, and so
have mercy on you: and this is meant of the final
number who will walk after the Lord.
11:11k 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.
(k) The Egyptians and the Assyrians will be afraid when
the Lord maintains his people.
11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of
Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with l God, and
is faithful with the saints.
(l) Governs their state according to God's word, and does
not degenerate.
