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"Because they refused to repent"

Text: Hosea 11:5

THE NATURE OF ISRAEL’S SIN PROBLEM

The sin problem of Israel was deep. The nature of the problem lay with the will of the sinful nation.

“He shall not return to the land of Egypt;
But the Assyrian shall be his king,
Because they refused to repent.”
Hosea 11:5

1. “Because they refused to repent”

a) This was the root of the problem.

b) Israel refused to repent.

c) An analysis of this refusal to repent would reveal the following:

i) There was rejection of the many calls to repentance.

ii) The calls of the prophets to return to the Lord in humility were set aside.

iii) Stubbornness must be noted.

iv) The heart had become harder and harder with each passing day.

v) There was also spiritual blindness.

2. “He shall not return to the land of Egypt”

a) Reference to the land of Egypt must bring about sad memories.

i) Israel was in bondage in Egypt (Exodus 1).

ii) The people had suffered greatly as slaves of Egypt until they were delivered by Moses.

b) Israel thought that it could flee to Egypt

i) For refuge.

ii) For safety.

c) This was a mistaken understanding.

i) The rulers had been misled by bad advisors.

ii) Egypt would not show compassion or generosity of heart.

iii) It would exact a heavy toll on those who would flee there from the Assyrian invaders.

3. “But the Assyrian shall be his king”

a) Little did Israel realize that Assyria would conquer Egypt.

b) Egypt would have to pay tribute to the Assyrian empire.

c) Thus, Israel would still be subjected to the rule of the Assyrian ruler.