Hosea 13:11
I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
Original Language Analysis
אֶֽתֶּן
I gave
H5414
אֶֽתֶּן
I gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 6
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּאַפִּ֔י
in mine anger
H639
בְּאַפִּ֔י
in mine anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
Historical Context
Israel's monarchy alternated between God's patience and judgment. He gave kings (tolerating institution), then removed them (assassinations, exile). The entire monarchy existed under divine displeasure, being rejection of His kingship. Assyria's conquest ended it permanently. Modern application: God sometimes grants sinful desires as form of judgment - experiencing consequences teaches better than words. His gracious denials protect us; His reluctant permissions discipline us. Only pursuing what God commands rather than what we want provides safety. Christ reorients desires toward God's will through regeneration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sometimes giving what we sinfully demand as form of judgment warn against persistent demands for our way?
- What wrongly desired things might God grant as discipline rather than blessing, letting me experience consequences?
Analysis & Commentary
I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. God gave Israel kings as judgment (granting sinful request, 1 Samuel 8:7) and removed them in wrath (exile, assassination). Both giving and taking stem from divine displeasure. Romans 1:24, 26, 28 similarly describes God giving people up to sin's consequences as judgment. Sometimes getting what we demand is itself punishment. Only God's gracious refusals protect us. His no often expresses love; our yes often reveals idol worship. Christ provides what we actually need rather than what we wrongly want.