Hosea 11:8-11

Hosea 11:8-11

[8] How shall I give thee up,  Ephraim?  how shall I deliver  thee, Israel?  how shall I make  thee as Admah?  how shall I set  thee as Zeboim?  mine heart  is turned  within me, my repentings  are kindled  together.  [9] I will not execute  the fierceness  of mine anger,  I will not return  to destroy  Ephraim:  for I am God,  the Holy One  in the midst  of thee: and I will not enter  into the city.  [10] after  the LORD:  he shall roar  like a lion:  when he shall roar,  then the children  shall tremble  from the west.  [11] They shall tremble  as a bird  out of Egypt,  and as a dove  out of the land  of Assyria:  and I will place  them in their houses,  saith  the LORD. 

What does Hosea 11:8-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

As previously, a series of messages assuring Israel"s judgment ( Hosea 6:4 to Hosea 11:7) ends with assurance of future restoration. God would definitely bring devastating judgment on Israel, but His compassion for the nation and His promises to the patriarchs required final blessing after the discipline (cf. Deuteronomy 4:25-31).
"These verses are like a window into the heart of God. They show that his love for his people is a love that will never let them go." [1]