Articles
Out Of Egypt
“When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son” (Hosea 11:1 NASV). The love of a father is a wonderful blessing. A father can bless, encourage, and guide the child in good and productive ways. Yet, some fathers may be too busy to actively direct the lives of their children; they may be indulgent to make up for their lack of true involvement. Some fathers may be too stringent as they rule with an iron fist of coercion and threats, forcing the child into obedience.
Israel was rescued out of Egyptian bondage by a God of love. Their status as God’s chosen people had nothing to do with might, wealth, or wisdom. While it was God’s plan for His people to be in Egypt however horrific their plight was, providence looked over them. God heard their cries; He remembered His promise to their fathers, Abraham, Issac, and Jacob (Exodus 2:24-25). God called Israel over and over; they continued in their idolatry. He took them in His arms; they refused His loving embrace. The yoke of bondage was lifted. No longer would they eat onions and garlic; the land of milk and honey was in sight.
Hosea spoke of bondage in Egypt several times (7:16; 8:13), as a warning to God’s people. If they did not repent they would return to Egypt; not literally, but they would be judged. In this case, a foreign nation, the Assyrians were close by (9:3; 10:6). When God’s own people refuse (refused) to listen, the result can only be judgment from heaven. Israel did go into captivity; they were amply warned; God’s judgments are not arbitrary or capricious.
Hosea 11:1 is quoted in Matthew 2: 15. “He stayed there until the death of Herod; this happened so that what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” The wicked Herod sought the destruction of Jesus, believing that the wholesale killing of male babies would accomplish his jealous goals. A massacre ensued and a great cry of anguish filled the land. Yet, the child Jesus was safe. Pharoah, in fear of Israel’s increasing numbers, killed the baby boys of the Hebrews, drowning them in the Nile. Yet, Pharoah could not thwart God’s plan to bring His people out of bondage and take them to the Promise Land. There they would grow and persevere, and eventually, the promises of God would be fully realized. Hosea 11:1 is not necessarily a prophecy about Jesus. Hosea is reminding Israel about the repeated attempts God made to rescue them. Matthew appropriates the passage, applying it to a similar situation—this time, in connection with Herod’s desire to kill Jesus. God protected Israel (His own son Exodus 4:22-23) from famine by putting them in Egypt; but He did not leave them there. God preserved His Son when Jospeh and Mary and Jesus went to Egypt to escape Herod’s clutches. He did not leave them there.
What is Hosea saying? He is reminding Israel that God loved them and wanted them to come back in repentance and faithfulness. He is saying: You have lived in Egypt long enough. You have rebelled often. Still, God loves you and wants you to come home. If Hosea was broken hearted over Gomer’s unfaithfulness, how much more is the infinite God of heaven grieved when we sin. But He still calls us, wherever we are.
