Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hosea 11:1

"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." — Hosea 11:1 (ASV)

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

God remembers what he did for us when we were young; and sin against him is much aggravated by his long kindness to us. He brings this up against his rebellious people, When Israel was a child, then I loved him. Some of you may remember your childhood with deep regret – when you used to sing your hymn, and bow your knees on your mother's lap. Times have greatly changed since then, but God remembers them.

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

God's love was very early love. He began with the nation of Israel when it was a mere handful of men in Egypt. There he multiplied them; and, in due time, he called them out from among the heathen. God's love to some of us manifested itself at a very early period of our lives, when we were still children. It is among our most joyous memories that we have known the Lord since our youth. Happy man, happy woman, of whom God can say, as he said concerning his ancient people, When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

When Israel was a child,

When the nation was yet young, and had scarcely started on its march among the peoples of the earth: When Israel was a child,—

Then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

God's love does not depend upon the standard of our spiritual attainments. While we are still children in grace, the Father's love is set upon us, as it was upon Israel in its beginnings as a nation.