Глава 11

Os.11:1. The next morning I was rejected. When they expected help from the Egyptians to come to them like the morning to those in darkness; then they were taken into captivity. The king of Israel was rejected like morning. This Prophet made it clear that the final death was sudden, because the morning dawn lasts for a short time, and then the rising sun brings about the day. Out of foolishness and childish reason, they endure this punishment, says God, for I called them out of Egypt and freed them from heavy slavery, but they, having become ungrateful, preferred serving idols to Me (they are called here “Baalim”); they did not want to know Me, who, having bound them, kept them from disorderly striving, showed fatherly compassion for this people, used all the methods to heal them, and repeatedly delivered them from all the ruins that those who attacked them threatened, as if by bonds with which I was tied to them by love, for which even now I still take care of them, and I give them these admonitions, acting in the same way as someone else strikes bow to your son who has misbehaved. Meanwhile, it is enough for Me to look only angrily at this people in order to completely destroy them. For God expressed this thought. Hos.11:4. I will look to him and help him. Hos.11:5. Ephraim settled in Egypt, and Assur was its king. He will not escape Assyrian rule, although he will flee to Egypt a thousand times. The reason for his disasters is as follows. It seems like you don’t want to return. Therefore, with all the multitude, with all the weapons, he will not show any courage, but will reap the fruits of bad councils, and will be far from his land; because I will hand over all the treasures to my opponents and will continually humble him. Having frightened with these disasters, he again utters words of love for mankind, improving their benefit with the very variety of conversation. Hos.11:8. What will I arrange for Ephraim? What should I do with you, Ephraim? Will I protect you to Israel? what shall I put you? I am ready to protect you, but your evil deeds do not allow Me. Therefore As I will build you as Adam, and as He will make you. These cities were burned along with Sodom and Gomorrah. But as soon as he pronounces a sentence about them, he cancels the definition of philanthropy. Change my heart in him, sweep away my repentance. Hos.11:9. I will not do according to My wrath; I will not leave Ephraim to be consumed. God is likened to a father and mother, who naturally become confused and cannot turn away from their children for long. He speaks this not because sometimes he wants something, and then changes his desire, on the contrary, he transforms His word into angry and humane, and into menacing and into merciful, frightening some, attracting others to Himself. Blessed David also praises His love for mankind: “As a father gives generously to his sons, the Lord will provide for those who fear Him” (Ps. 102:13). And through the mouth of Isaiah God himself speaks: “Will the woman forget her food, lest she have mercy on the offspring of her womb? Even if the woman forgets these, I will not forget you,” said the Holy One (Is. 49:15). Therefore, here he says: “My heart is changed in him, My repentance is troubled.” I will not do according to the wrath of My wrath: I will not leave the hedgehog to be consumed by Ephraim: I am already God, and not man: I am holy in you, and I will not go into the city. I am not angry like man, says God, and I cannot long remember evil; because I am the holy God, visible to those around you, and above all earthly things; not forced to live, like people, in one place, but existing everywhere and close to everyone. Therefore, taking advantage of so much philanthropy, the Prophet continues, Os.11:10. Walk in the footsteps of the Lord, constantly following Him and fulfilling everything commanded. Like a lion he will roar, and the children of the waters will be terrified. Just as a roaring lion brings fear to those animals who approach and hear his roar: so if the God of all things wants to avenge you, fear will seize your opponents, like fish that cannot bear even the slightest noise, but hide in the waters. For he called fish, children of the waters, who find comfort for life in the waters. And thus, when the enemies, by the will of God, are crushed; Os.11:11. They will come like a bird from Egypt, and like a dove from the land of Assyria: and I will set them up in their houses, says the Lord. Just as other birds, and mainly pigeons, capable of flying and traveling far on their wings, comfortably return to their nests, so he will return you, some from Egypt, others from Assyria, with all convenience, and will make sure that you settle again in your native land. And this means the return that happened under Zerubbabel. For when some, by order of the Persian Cyrus, returned from Babylon and rebuilt Jerusalem, then those living in Egypt boldly began to return. Os.11:12. Ephraim committed Me with lies, and the house of Israel and Judah committed wickedness. I honor them with such industry, says God; they reward Me, contrary to My service, preferring false and wicked service, Now I know God, and holy people are called Gods. However, although you are such, I will honor you with My care, and will cause you to be called a people dedicated to the God of all.