Hosea 11:2
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Despite continuous prophetic ministry (Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Micah), northern Israel persisted in Baal worship. The 'calling' describes prophetic proclamation urging return to YHWH. The response: deliberate turning away—not ignorance but willful rebellion. Baal worship, Canaanite fertility religion, proved persistently attractive despite prophetic condemnation. Archaeological evidence shows Baal cult objects widespread in 8th century Israel. This demonstrates that hearing truth doesn't guarantee receiving truth—hardened hearts resist even clearest proclamation. Jesus encountered similar response: teaching Truth yet rejected (John 8:40-47).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does repeated calling sometimes produce hardened resistance rather than responsive repentance?
- What does this verse teach about human responsibility despite divine calling—that hearing truth doesn't remove accountability for rejecting it?
Analysis & Commentary
Calling the wayward: 'As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.' The more prophets called (קָרְאוּ לָהֶם, qare'u lahem), the more they departed (הָלְכוּ מִפְּנֵיהֶם, halkhu mippneihem—literally 'went from their faces'). They sacrificed to בַּעֲלִים (Ba'alim, Baals) and burned incense to פְּסִלִים (pesilim, graven images). This demonstrates perverse response: prophetic warnings producing hardened defiance rather than repentance. The phenomenon of hardening appears throughout Scripture (Pharaoh, Israelites). Only Spirit-regeneration produces soft, responsive hearts (Ezekiel 36:26-27).