Catholic Commentary on Hosea 11

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” (Hosea 11:1)

God's Love for Israel

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called them, the further they went from me. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realise it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, for I am God, and not a man, the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.

Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 applying it to Jesus's return from Egypt in the flight of the Holy Family, identifying Christ as the true Israel who relives and fulfils Israel's history (CCC 530).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, how can I give you up? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. This is the interior of God. The question is not rhetorical; it is the anguished cry of a parent watching a child walk away. God's compassion is not a policy; it is a heart that is changed within him at the thought of your destruction. Receive that love. Do not walk further away from the one whose heart breaks at your distance.

Prayer

Lord God, how can you give us up? You cannot. Your compassion is aroused and your heart is changed within you. Draw us back to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

11
Out of Egypt I Called My Son
(Matthew 2:13-15)
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called My son.* 11:1 Cited in Matthew 2:15
2 But the more I called Israel,
the farther they departed from Me.† 11:2 LXX; Hebrew The more they called them, the more they went from them.
They sacrificed to the Baals
and burned incense to carved images.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim ‡ 11:3 That is, the northern kingdom of Israel; also in verses 8, 9, and 12 to walk,
taking them in My arms,
but they never realized
that it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of kindness,
with ropes of love;
I lifted the yoke from their necks
and bent down to feed them.
5 Will they not return to the land of Egypt
and be ruled by Assyria
because they refused to repent?
6 A sword will flash through their cities;
it will destroy the bars of their gates
and consume them in their own plans.
7 My people are bent on turning from Me.
Though they call to the Most High,
He will by no means exalt them.
God’s Love for Israel
 
8 How could I give you up, O Ephraim?
How could I surrender you, O Israel?
How could I make you like Admah?
How could I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart is turned within Me;
My compassion is stirred!
9 I will not execute the full fury of My anger;
I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim.
For I am God and not man-
the Holy One among you-
and I will not come in wrath.
10 They will walk after the LORD;
He will roar like a lion.
When He roars,
His children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt
and like doves from the land of Assyria.
Then I will settle them in their homes,
declares the LORD.
 
12 Ephraim surrounds Me with lies,
the house of Israel with deceit;
but Judah still walks with God
and is faithful to the Holy One.§ 11:12 Or and Judah is unruly against God, the faithful Holy One

*11:1 11:1 Cited in Matthew 2:15

†11:2 11:2 LXX; Hebrew The more they called them, the more they went from them.

‡11:3 11:3 That is, the northern kingdom of Israel; also in verses 8, 9, and 12

§11:12 11:12 Or and Judah is unruly against God, the faithful Holy One

Public Domain