◄ Hosea 11:7 ►
My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.
Study Bible
My people
This phrase emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "people" is "עַם" (am), which signifies a collective group bound by a covenant with God. Historically, Israel was chosen as God's special possession (Exodus 19:5-6), highlighting the deep sense of belonging and responsibility. Despite their waywardness, God still refers to them as "My people," indicating His enduring love and commitment.

are bent on turning
The Hebrew root for "bent" is "תָּלָה" (talah), which conveys a strong inclination or determination. This phrase suggests a persistent and deliberate choice to turn away from God. The historical context reveals a pattern of rebellion and idolatry among the Israelites, as they often sought alliances with foreign nations and gods, contrary to God's commands (2 Kings 17:7-18).

from Me
This phrase underscores the personal nature of Israel's rebellion. The preposition "from" indicates a separation or departure, highlighting the relational breach between God and His people. Scripturally, turning "from Me" signifies a rejection of God's authority and love, as seen in the repeated cycles of sin and repentance throughout Israel's history (Judges 2:11-19).

Though they call to Him on high
The phrase "call to Him on high" suggests a superficial or insincere appeal to God. The Hebrew word for "call" is "קָרָא" (qara), which can mean to cry out or summon. Historically, Israel often turned to God in times of distress, yet their cries were not always accompanied by genuine repentance (Isaiah 29:13). The phrase "on high" refers to God's exalted position, emphasizing His sovereignty and the futility of insincere worship.

He will not exalt them at all
The word "exalt" in Hebrew is "רוּם" (rum), meaning to lift up or elevate. This phrase indicates that God will not honor or elevate those who are unrepentant. The historical context shows that despite Israel's cries, their persistent rebellion led to consequences, such as exile and judgment (2 Kings 17:6). Scripturally, true exaltation comes from humility and obedience to God (James 4:10).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hosea
A 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. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, often depicted in Hosea as an unfaithful spouse or rebellious child, symbolizing the nation's spiritual adultery and rebellion against God.

3. God
The 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 Rebellion
Hosea 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 Grief
The 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 Repentance
Despite 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 Relationship
The 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 Idolatry
Israel'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 3
This chapter also addresses Israel's unfaithfulness and God's call for repentance, emphasizing God's willingness to forgive and restore.

Isaiah 1
Similar 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.
Sermons
BacksliderJohn Robertson.Hosea 11:7
Backsliding IsraelAuthor of, Foosteps of Jesus."Hosea 11:7
In SuspenseHosea 11:7
Religious DeclensionE. Strong.Hosea 11:7
A Typical Portrait of a PeopleD. Thomas Hosea 11:1-7
Fatal CoursesJ. Orr Hosea 11:5-7
The Divine Goodness DespisedC. Jerdan Hosea 11:5-7
People
Hosea
Places
Admah, Assyria, Egypt, Zeboiim
Topics
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, Yoke
Dictionary 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: 1871

The 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

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