I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them. I led themThe Hebrew root for "led" is "mashak," which conveys the idea of drawing or pulling gently. This word choice emphasizes God's tender guidance of Israel, akin to a shepherd leading his flock. Historically, this reflects God's leadership of Israel from Egypt, guiding them through the wilderness with patience and care. with cords of kindness
The term "cords" (Hebrew: "chebel") often refers to bands or ropes used for leading animals. However, these are not harsh or punitive restraints; they are "cords of kindness" (Hebrew: "chesed"), a word rich in meaning, often translated as loving-kindness or steadfast love. This phrase highlights God's compassionate and gentle approach, contrasting with the harshness Israel might have expected or deserved. with ropes of love
The "ropes" (Hebrew: "aboth") here are synonymous with the cords mentioned earlier, reinforcing the idea of guidance. The addition of "love" (Hebrew: "ahavah") underscores the motivation behind God's actions. This love is unconditional and covenantal, reflecting the deep, abiding affection God has for His people, despite their frequent rebellion. I lifted the yoke from their necks
The "yoke" (Hebrew: "ol") symbolizes oppression and burden, often associated with slavery or servitude. God's action of lifting the yoke signifies liberation and relief from bondage. Historically, this recalls the Exodus, where God freed Israel from Egyptian slavery, a foundational act of salvation in the Hebrew Scriptures. and bent down to feed them
The imagery of God bending down is one of humility and care, reminiscent of a parent nurturing a child. The act of feeding (Hebrew: "akal") signifies provision and sustenance. This phrase evokes the wilderness period when God provided manna and quail, demonstrating His ongoing provision and care for Israel's physical and spiritual needs. Persons / Places / Events 1. God (Yahweh)The speaker in this verse, expressing His tender care and love for Israel. 2. IsraelThe nation being addressed, often depicted as a wayward child or unfaithful spouse in the book of Hosea. 3. HoseaThe prophet through whom God delivers His message, known for his symbolic marriage to Gomer, representing God's relationship with Israel. 4. EgyptImplicitly referenced as the place of bondage from which God delivered Israel, symbolizing past oppression. 5. The ExodusThe historical event of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, symbolizing God's redemptive power and love. Teaching Points God's Tender GuidanceGod leads us with kindness and love, not with harshness or force. Reflect on how God has gently guided you in your life. Freedom from BurdensJust as God lifted the yoke from Israel, He offers to lift our burdens. Consider what burdens you need to surrender to God. Divine ProvisionGod bends down to meet our needs, demonstrating His humility and care. Trust in His provision for your daily needs. Covenantal LoveGod's relationship with Israel is based on His covenantal love, not their faithfulness. Rejoice in the steadfast love God has for you. Responding to God's LoveOur response to God's love should be one of gratitude and obedience. How can you show your love for God in your daily actions? Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of "cords of kindness" and "ropes of love" in Hosea 11:4 enhance your understanding of God's character? 2. In what ways can you identify with the burdens that God lifted from Israel's neck, and how can you apply this to your life today? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a tangible way. How does this reinforce your trust in Him? 4. How does the concept of God's covenantal love challenge or encourage you in your personal relationship with Him? 5. Considering the connections to other scriptures, how can you actively respond to God's love and guidance in your community or family? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 13:21-22God's guidance of Israel with a pillar of cloud and fire, illustrating His leading with "cords of kindness." Deuteronomy 7:7-8God's love and choice of Israel, not based on their merit but His love and promise, similar to the "ropes of love." Matthew 11:28-30Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him, paralleling the lifting of the yoke from Israel's neck. Psalm 23The imagery of God as a shepherd who feeds and cares for His flock, akin to God bending down to feed Israel. John 6:35Jesus as the Bread of Life, connecting to God feeding His people. People HoseaPlaces Admah, Assyria, Egypt, ZeboiimTopics Bands, Bent, Bonds, Caused, Compassion, Cords, Draw, Drew, Eases, Eat, Fed, Feed, Gently, Human, Incline, Jaws, Kindness, Laid, Led, Lift, Lifted, Lifts, Love, Meat, Mouths, Neck, Necks, Putting, Raiser, Thick, Ties, YokeDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 11:4 2015 Christ, compassion
4696 yoke
5507 rope and cord
5762 attitudes, God to people
5806 compassion
8291 kindness Hosea 11:1-4 1085 God, love of
5682 family, significance
5888 inferiority
6688 mercy, demonstration of God's
8122 friendship, with God
8205 childlikeness Hosea 11:3-4 8129 guidance, examples 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 11:4 NIVHosea 11:4 NLTHosea 11:4 ESVHosea 11:4 NASBHosea 11:4 KJV
Hosea 11:4 Commentaries
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