A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans. A sword will flash through their citiesThe imagery of a "sword" in biblical literature often symbolizes divine judgment and warfare. In the Hebrew context, the word for "sword" (חֶרֶב, chereb) is frequently associated with God's instrument of justice. The phrase "will flash through" suggests suddenness and inevitability, indicating that the judgment will be swift and unavoidable. Historically, this reflects the Assyrian invasion, which was a tool of God's judgment against Israel's unfaithfulness. The "cities" represent the centers of power and culture, emphasizing that no place is immune to divine retribution when a nation turns away from God. it will destroy the bars of their gates
The "bars of their gates" symbolize security and protection. In ancient cities, gates were fortified with bars to prevent enemy entry, representing the last line of defense. The Hebrew word for "bars" (בְּרִיחֵי, berichei) conveys strength and security. The destruction of these bars signifies the complete vulnerability and exposure of the people to their enemies. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for the removal of God's protection when His people persist in sin. It serves as a warning that reliance on human strength and defenses is futile without divine favor. and consume them in their own plans
The phrase "consume them in their own plans" highlights the self-destructive nature of Israel's rebellion. The Hebrew root for "consume" (אָכַל, akal) implies being devoured or destroyed. This suggests that the very schemes and strategies devised by the Israelites, perhaps in their political alliances or idolatrous practices, would lead to their downfall. Historically, Israel's alliances with foreign powers like Egypt and Assyria, instead of trusting in God, backfired disastrously. This serves as a timeless reminder that human wisdom and plans, when not aligned with God's will, ultimately lead to ruin. It underscores the biblical principle that true security and success come from obedience to God and His commandments. Persons / Places / Events 1. HoseaA prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Hosea's ministry focused on calling Israel back to faithfulness to God amidst their idolatry and moral decline. 2. IsraelThe Northern Kingdom, often referred to as Ephraim in Hosea, which had turned away from God, embracing idolatry and alliances with foreign nations. 3. SwordSymbolic of impending judgment and destruction, often used in prophetic literature to denote divine retribution. 4. Cities of IsraelRepresent the centers of power and culture in the Northern Kingdom, which were vulnerable to the consequences of their collective sin. 5. GatesSymbolize security and strength; their destruction indicates the complete vulnerability and downfall of the nation. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceGod's warnings through prophets like Hosea highlight the serious consequences of turning away from Him. Disobedience leads to destruction, as symbolized by the sword. False SecurityThe destruction of the gates signifies the futility of relying on human strength and security. True security is found only in obedience to God. Divine Judgment and MercyWhile judgment is a central theme, Hosea also emphasizes God's enduring love and desire for repentance. Understanding both aspects is crucial for a balanced view of God's character. The Danger of Self-RelianceIsrael's plans, which led to their downfall, serve as a warning against self-reliance and the importance of seeking God's guidance in all things. Repentance and RestorationThe call to repentance is implicit in the warning of destruction. God's ultimate desire is for His people to return to Him and be restored. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of the sword in Hosea 11:6 help us understand the seriousness of God's judgment? 2. In what ways do we, like Israel, sometimes rely on our own plans rather than seeking God's guidance? How can we change this? 3. How does the destruction of the gates in Hosea 11:6 relate to the concept of false security in our lives today? 4. What parallels can you draw between the warnings given to Israel in Hosea and the warnings given to other nations or individuals in the Bible? 5. How can we balance the understanding of God's judgment with His mercy in our personal faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, providing a backdrop for understanding the consequences Israel faces in Hosea. Jeremiah 4:6-7Similar imagery of a sword and destruction is used to describe the coming judgment on Judah, paralleling the warnings given to Israel in Hosea. Isaiah 1:7-8Describes the desolation of cities due to disobedience, echoing the themes of judgment found in Hosea. People HoseaPlaces Admah, Assyria, Egypt, ZeboiimTopics Abide, Bars, Branches, Causing, Cities, Consume, Consumed, Counsels, Demolish, Designs, Destroy, Destruction, Devour, Ended, Evil, Fall, Flash, Fortresses, Gate, Gates, Grievous, Plans, Rage, Sword, Towns, Turn, Wasting, WhirlDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 11:6 5323 gate 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 11:6 NIVHosea 11:6 NLTHosea 11:6 ESVHosea 11:6 NASBHosea 11:6 KJV
Hosea 11:6 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
