When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. When Israel was a childThe phrase "When Israel was a child" refers to the early stages of the nation of Israel, particularly during the time of the patriarchs and the Exodus. The Hebrew word for "child" here is "na'ar," which can denote a young person or a nation in its infancy. This imagery evokes a sense of tenderness and care, as a parent would have for a young child. Historically, this period includes the formative years of Israel's identity, from the covenant with Abraham to the deliverance from Egypt. It underscores God's nurturing role in Israel's development as a nation. I loved him
The declaration "I loved him" emphasizes God's deep, covenantal love for Israel. The Hebrew word for "loved" is "ahav," which conveys a profound, enduring affection. This love is not based on Israel's merit but on God's sovereign choice and faithfulness to His promises. It reflects the unconditional nature of divine love, which is a central theme throughout the Bible. God's love for Israel serves as a model for His love for all His people, highlighting His desire for a relationship with humanity. and out of Egypt I called My son
The phrase "and out of Egypt I called My son" is a direct reference to the Exodus, where God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. The term "My son" signifies a special relationship between God and Israel, portraying Israel as God's chosen and beloved child. The Hebrew word for "called" is "qara," which implies a summoning or a calling forth with authority and purpose. This event is foundational in Israel's history, symbolizing redemption and liberation. In the New Testament, this verse is also seen as a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, as Matthew 2:15 applies it to Jesus' return from Egypt, thus linking the Old Testament narrative to the fulfillment in Christ. This dual application highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan through history. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelRefers to the nation of Israel, God's chosen people, whom He delivered from slavery in Egypt. 2. EgyptThe land where the Israelites were enslaved before God delivered them through Moses. 3. God's LoveThe verse highlights God's enduring love for Israel, depicted as a fatherly love for a child. 4. Calling Out of EgyptThis event refers to the Exodus, where God led the Israelites out of bondage. 5. Prophetic FulfillmentThis verse is also seen as a prophecy fulfilled in the New Testament with Jesus' return from Egypt. Teaching Points God's Unchanging LoveGod's love for His people is steadfast and enduring, much like a parent's love for their child. This love is not based on merit but on His sovereign choice and covenant promises. Deliverance and RedemptionJust as God called Israel out of Egypt, He calls us out of spiritual bondage. Reflect on how God has delivered you from past struggles and continues to guide you. Prophetic FulfillmentHosea 11:1 serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of Scripture, where Old Testament prophecies find fulfillment in the New Testament, particularly in the life of Jesus. Identity as God's ChildrenAs believers, we are adopted into God's family. Embrace your identity as a child of God, loved and called for a purpose. Responding to God's CallConsider how you are responding to God's call in your life. Are you living in obedience and gratitude for His deliverance? Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God's fatherly love for Israel in Hosea 11:1 impact your view of His love for you personally? 2. In what ways can you relate the deliverance of Israel from Egypt to your own experiences of God's deliverance in your life? 3. How does the fulfillment of Hosea 11:1 in the life of Jesus enhance your understanding of the unity and continuity of the Bible? 4. Reflect on your identity as a child of God. How does this identity influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? 5. What steps can you take to ensure you are responding faithfully to God's call in your life, similar to how Israel was called out of Egypt? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 4:22-23God refers to Israel as His firstborn son, emphasizing the father-son relationship. Matthew 2:15This verse is cited in the New Testament as a fulfillment of prophecy when Jesus returns from Egypt, showing the dual application of Hosea 11:1. Deuteronomy 7:7-8Highlights God's love and choice of Israel, not because of their size or merit, but because of His love and promise. Romans 9:4-5Paul speaks of the Israelites' adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, and the promises, connecting to God's love and calling. John 3:16God's love extends to the world, offering salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, reflecting the ultimate expression of divine love. People HoseaPlaces Admah, Assyria, Egypt, ZeboiimTopics Child, Dear, Egypt, Love, Loved, YouthDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 11:1 1040 God, fatherhood
1349 covenant, at Sinai
2078 Christ, sonship of
2218 Christ, Son of God
2366 Christ, prophecies concerning
2422 gospel, confirmation
2520 Christ, childhood
5734 relationships
5844 emotions
6609 adoption, nature of
7021 church, OT anticipations
7115 children of God
7141 people of God, OT
7223 exodus, significance
7773 prophets, role
8136 knowing God, effects Hosea 11:1-2 5746 youth
6620 calling Hosea 11:1-4 1085 God, love of
1135 God, suffering of
1210 God, human descriptions
1305 God, activity of
1330 God, the provider
5682 family, significance
5888 inferiority
5895 intimacy
5966 tenderness
6231 rejection of God
6232 rejection of God, results
6233 rejection, experience
6688 mercy, demonstration of God's
8122 friendship, with God
8205 childlikeness 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 11:1 NIVHosea 11:1 NLTHosea 11:1 ESVHosea 11:1 NASBHosea 11:1 KJV
Hosea 11:1 Commentaries
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