God proceeds in threatening Israel for their ingratitude: yet he will not utterly destroy them.

 1 As the morning passeth, so hath the king of Israel passed away. Because Israel was a child, and I loved him: and I called my son out of Egypt.  2 As they called them, they went away from before their face: they offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols.  3 And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my arms: and they knew not that I healed them.  4 I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love: and I will be to them as one that taketh off the yoke on their jaws: and I put his meat to him that he might eat.  5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king: because they would not be converted.

[1] "I called my son": Viz., Israel. But as the calling of Israel out of Egypt, was a figure of the calling of Christ from thence; therefore this text is also applicable to Christ, as we learn from Matthew 2. 15.

[2] "They called": Viz., Moses and Aaron called; but they went away after other gods and would not hear.

 6 The sword hath begun in his cities, and it shall consume his chosen men, and shall devour their heads.  7 And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off.  8 How shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up.  9 I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath: I will not return to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city.  10 They shall walk after the Lord, he shall roar as a lion: because he shall roar, and the children of the sea shall fear.

[8] "Adama": Adama and Seboim were two cities in the neighbourhood of Sodom: and underwent the like destruction.

 11 And they shall fly away like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will place them in their own houses, saith the Lord.  12 Ephraim hath compassed me about with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Juda went down as a witness with God, and is faithful with the saints.