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How great, how strong, how unfailing is the love of the Lord. Even after all their offences against Him, He is seen struggling with the punishment that must be given Israel. It is an extremely difficult action for the Lord to accomplish in removing them from the land and out of His sight. How can I give you up? Can you feel the powerful emotion of His words? Hos. 11:8a This first statement is addressed to Ephraim, double fruitfulness. Ephraim was about to suffer loss of destiny. The double portion is given to those of true consecration and dedication to the Lord. The double portion, or fullness of the Spirit, and the accompanying fruitfulness is a type of the great last day revival, culminating in the perfect church which will be the bride of Christ. Eph. 5:27.
How shall I deliver you. The nature of the Lord is to deliver, to liberate, to set free. (According to Strong’s dictionary, The word deliver has the connotation of shielding, encompassing, to rescue or to hand safely over.) The Lord would much rather deliver from punishment than deliver to banishment, which was to be their reward. In this case there is no deliverance because of their extreme actions in deserting the Lord. They are without repentance. Had there been a way, the Lord would most gladly have rescinded His judgment against them. After all, they were Israel (he will rule as God). With such a name and terrific destiny, what a horrible price they were to pay for their waywardness. Hos. 11:8b.
Capital punishment presented but not executed. The cities of Admah (red, earth or blood) and Zeboim (gazelle) were two of the other cities destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah. Deut. 29:23 There is a sin, so irritating to the Lord that He cannot wait until the day of judgment to reign punishment of on those who participate. Hos. 11:8c.
The Lord moved, stirred with extreme emotion. These statements give us an insight into the similarity of emotions which the Lord has and those which He has given us. His are sanctified but ours have been corrupted. His was heart deeply moved by the punishment that He must give a nation of unruly people. We must understand that to do what He was about to do to Israel was not a minor move on His part. He loved them as only He can love and in spite of all their wrong doing He still wanted them to be His people. My repentings, how tender hearted is our God. Any parent, who truly loves their children and must correct them will understand in a small measure the feelings of the Lord in this situation. The word, kindled, figuratively means, to be deeply affected with passion (love or pity). Strong Hos. 11:8d We have been given a peek into the very heart of the Lord.