Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hosea 11:5-6

"They shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return [to me]. And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels." — Hosea 11:5-6 (ASV)

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

If people sin, they will suffer; and God's people will be the first to suffer for their sins against the Lord, as He said through the prophet Amos, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities (Amos 3:2).

If a man lets other people's children go unchastened, he will chastise his own children, if he is worthy of the name of a father; and God will do the same.

He will not destroy us, but He will chasten us if we backslide from Him.

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

When people are determined to have their own way, God sometimes lets them have their way, and that turns out to be the most unhappy thing that can be. They make a rod for their own backs. They pile the wood for their own burning. It is a great pity that it should be so, but we have seen it time and again.