11:1 When Israel was a young man, I loved him like a son, and I summoned my son out of Egypt.
Israel was considered a young man while he was enslaved in Egypt. Like Israel, Jesus was God's son who was summoned out of Egypt.
11:2 But the more I summoned them, the farther they departed from me. They sacrificed to the Baal idols and burned incense to images.
The more prophets Jehovah sent to Israel, the farther they departed from God. They burnt human sacrifices to Baal idols as well.
11:3 Yet it was I who led Ephraim, I took them by the arm; but they did not acknowledge that I had healed them.
God led Ephraim (Israel) by the arm and healed her. However, Israel did not acknowledge or thank God for her new position.
11:4 I led them with leather cords, with leather ropes; I lifted the yoke from their neck, and gently fed them.
Jehovah removed the yoke of Egyptian slavery from Israel’s neck. Jehovah led them to the Promised Land. Jehovah fed and cared for Israel.
11:5 They will return to Egypt! Assyria will rule over them because they refuse to repent!
Since Israel rejected God’s love, they will be sent to their two lovers. Their two lovers were Assyria and Egypt.
11:6 A sword will flash in their cities, it will destroy the bars of their city gates, and will devour them in their fortresses.
The cities of Israel were destined for destruction.
11:7 My people are obsessed with turning away from me; they call to Baal, but he will never exalt them!
Israel was obsessed with Baal worship. They called to Baal, but Baal will never exalt Israel as Jehovah had done.
11:8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? I have had a change of heart! All my tender compassions are aroused!
God cannot ever give up Ephraim completely. He cannot surrender Israel to satanic forces.
Admah and Zeboiim were two sister cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that were destroyed by fire from heaven. Jehovah cannot destroy Israel like He did with Zeboiim and Admah. The compassion of Jehovah will never allow Israel to be exterminated forever. Two thirds of the Jews will die during the Great Tribulation, but no more.
11:9 I cannot carry out my fierce anger! I cannot totally destroy Ephraim! Because I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you— I will not come in wrath!
God will never completely destroy Israel.
11:10 He will roar like a lion, and they will follow the Lord; when he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
Jehovah will roar like a lion when He returns at His second coming. All of Israel will follow Jehovah. After the Great Tribulation, Israel will return from the west.
11:11 They will return in fear and trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria, and I will settle them in their homes,” declares the Lord.
Assyria is in the north. Egypt is in the south. During the Great Tribulation, Israel will also return from the north and south.
11:12 (12:1) Ephraim has surrounded me with lies; the house of Israel has surrounded me with deceit. But Judah still roams about with God; he remains faithful to the Holy One.
Ephraim (Israel) has lied to God and deceived others. However, Judah was still loyal to Jehovah.