My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them. My people are bent on turning from Me.This phrase highlights the persistent rebellion of Israel against God. The Hebrew word for "bent" suggests a strong inclination or stubbornness, indicating that the people's hearts are set on apostasy. Historically, Israel's idolatry and alliances with foreign nations demonstrate this turning away. The context of Hosea, a prophet to the Northern Kingdom, underscores the spiritual adultery of Israel, as they often worshiped Baal and other deities. This rebellion is reminiscent of the Israelites' behavior in the wilderness (Exodus 32) and their cyclical sin during the time of the Judges ( Judges 2:11-19). Though they call to the Most High,
This phrase suggests a superficial or insincere appeal to God. Despite their rebellion, the Israelites still engaged in religious rituals and called upon God, perhaps in times of distress. This reflects a common theme in the Old Testament where the people of Israel would turn to God in desperation but not in genuine repentance (Isaiah 29:13). The term "Most High" emphasizes God's supreme authority and sovereignty, a title that denotes His power over all creation (Genesis 14:18-20). He will by no means exalt them.
This indicates that God will not honor or elevate those who are insincere in their devotion. The phrase underscores the principle that God desires true repentance and faithfulness rather than empty rituals (1 Samuel 15:22). The historical context of Hosea shows that Israel's continued rebellion led to their eventual downfall and exile by Assyria in 722 BC. This serves as a warning that God's patience has limits, and judgment follows persistent disobedience. Theologically, this reflects the justice of God, who cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7), and points to the need for genuine transformation, a theme fulfilled in the New Testament through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Persons / Places / Events 1. HoseaA prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC. His ministry focused on calling Israel back to faithfulness to God amidst widespread idolatry and moral decay. 2. IsraelThe Northern Kingdom, often depicted in Hosea as an unfaithful spouse or rebellious child, symbolizing the nation's spiritual adultery and rebellion against God. 3. GodThe central figure in Hosea, portrayed as a loving and compassionate father who is deeply grieved by Israel's persistent rebellion and idolatry. Teaching Points Persistent RebellionHosea 11:7 highlights Israel's stubbornness in turning away from God. This serves as a warning against the dangers of hardening our hearts and persisting in sin. Divine GriefThe verse reflects God's sorrow over Israel's rebellion. Understanding God's emotional response to sin can deepen our appreciation for His love and patience. Call to RepentanceDespite Israel's rebellion, God's desire is for His people to return to Him. This underscores the importance of repentance and the hope of restoration. Faithfulness in RelationshipThe relationship between God and Israel is likened to a familial bond. This calls us to examine our own faithfulness in our relationship with God. The Danger of IdolatryIsrael's turning to other gods serves as a caution against modern forms of idolatry, urging us to evaluate what might be drawing our hearts away from God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hosea 11:7 illustrate the nature of Israel's rebellion, and what modern parallels can we draw from this? 2. In what ways does understanding God's grief over sin impact your view of His character and your relationship with Him? 3. How can the themes of repentance and restoration in Hosea 11:7 be applied to personal areas of struggle or rebellion in your life? 4. What are some contemporary "idols" that might lead us away from faithfulness to God, and how can we guard against them? 5. How does the portrayal of God as a loving parent in Hosea 11:7 enhance your understanding of His desire for a relationship with His people? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 3This chapter also addresses Israel's unfaithfulness and God's call for repentance, emphasizing God's willingness to forgive and restore. Isaiah 1Similar themes of rebellion and the call to repentance are found here, highlighting God's desire for His people to return to Him. Luke 15 (Parable of the Prodigal Son) This New Testament parable echoes the themes of rebellion and the father's longing for the return of his wayward child, illustrating God's enduring love and mercy. People HoseaPlaces Admah, Assyria, Egypt, ZeboiimTopics Appointed, Backsliding, Bent, Certainly, Determined, Exalt, Exalteth, Exalts, Goes, Hanging, Lift, Lifting, None, Remove, Returning, Sinning, Suspense, Though, Turn, Turning, Upwards, Voice, Won't, Yea, YokeDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 11:5-7 8126 guidance, need for Library Heaven's Nurse Children
The next sweet word in the chapter is sonship; "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." We are, according to the inspired apostle, "predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." Ephesians 1:5. Adoption follows hard upon the heels of election, and is another messenger of good tidings. Innumerable blessings come to us by this door. "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
(Bethlehem and Road Thence to Egypt, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 13-18. ^a 13 Now when they were departed [The text favors the idea that the arrival and departure of the magi and the departure of Joseph for Egypt, all occurred in one night. If so, the people of Bethlehem knew nothing of these matters], behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise [this command calls for immediate departure] and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt [This land was ever the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Eleventh Day. The Holy one of Israel.
I am the Lord that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. I the Lord which make you holy, am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45, xxi. 8. 'I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Thy Saviour. Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.'--Isa. xliii. 3, 14, 15. In the book of Exodus we found God making provision for the Holiness of His people. In the holy …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Quotations from the Old Testament in the New.
1. As it respects inspiration, and consequent infallible authority, the quotations of the New Testament stand on a level with the rest of the apostolic writings. The Saviour's promise was: "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth;" literally, "into all the truth," that is, as immediately explained, all the truth pertaining to the Redeemer's person and work. When, therefore, after the fulfilment of this promise, Peter and the other apostles expounded to their brethren …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Perseverance Proved.
2. I REMARK, that God is able to preserve and keep the true saints from apostacy, in consistency with their liberty: 2 Tim. i. 12: "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Here the apostle expresses the fullest confidence in the ability of Christ to keep him: and indeed, as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
They shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 I proceed now to the second part of the text. A promise annexed. They shall be filled'. A Christian fighting with sin is not like one that beats the air' (1 Corinthians 9:26), and his hungering after righteousness is not like one that sucks in only air, Blessed are they that hunger, for they shall be filled.' Those that hunger after righteousness shall be filled. God never bids us seek him in vain' (Isaiah 45:19). Here is an honeycomb dropping into the mouths of …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Hosea 11:7 NIVHosea 11:7 NLTHosea 11:7 ESVHosea 11:7 NASBHosea 11:7 KJV
Hosea 11:7 Commentaries
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