Ephraim Taken By the Arms - Hosea 11:3

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “when Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images”, and in chapter eleven and verse three of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms” where we read,

I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

The verse begins, “I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms;” Hosea began with the words, “I taught Ephraim” or “I, Jehovah God, Ephraim whose name means double ash-heap or I shall be doubly fruitful and was the name sometimes used for the northern kingdom” “also to go” which means “even so and indeed to walk, leave and depart”, “taking them by their arms” or “fetching, laying hold of, seizing and acquiring them, the nation of Israel, through the means of their, Israel's, forearms, shoulders, strength, might and power”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God instructed “Ephraim” and lead them by their “arms”.

The verse goes on to say, “but they knew not that I healed them.” Hosea continued with the words, “but they knew not” or “however, notwithstanding, nevertheless and moreover they, the people of Israel, did not perceive, learn, find out, discern, recognize or consider” “that I healed them” which means “that I, Jehovah God, repaired, made whole and mended them, the people of Israel”. Hosea shared how the people of Israel did not perceive, recognize or consider that Jehovah God mended and made them whole. 

When we meditate upon Hosea's words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God instructed the people of “Ephraim”, and He lead them in all their strength and might, however, they did not consider that He made them whole. God cares for everyone, and He loves us all. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a “knowledge” and perception of His “healing” in our lives, minds and souls. 

Next time Hosea shares how Jehovah God says, “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".