The Lord's Love for Israel
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD. Hos. 11:11
They shall tremble... The West denoted Europe; Egypt and Assyria stand, each for all the lands beyond them, and so for Africa and Asia; all together comprise the three quarters of the world, from where converts have chiefly come to Christ. These are likened to birds, chiefly for the swiftness with which they shall then haste to the call of God, who now turned away the more, the more they were called.
and as a... The dove, especially, was a bird of Palestine, proverbial for the swiftness of its flight. Easily frightened, and flying the more rapidly, the more it was frightened, and returning to its cot from any distance where it might be carried. From where Isaiah also says of the converts, Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? (Isa. 60:8).
and I will... It is not said in towns and cities, and fortified places, but in houses, signifying that they should dwell in their own land, in a civil sense, securely, and in their habitations. Under their vines and fig trees, being in no fear and danger of enemies, and live in the utmost safety, under the government and protection of the King Messiah.
This is speaking of a time, when they will be eager to return to their home, as a bird is eager to return to his nest. This speaks of a time when they will return home and receive their houses again.
Again, once more before the end let Israel hear God in the utterness of His Love!
The comparison to doves is significant in light of Hos. 7:11, where Israel’s naiveté in seeking foreign alliances is likened to that of a dove. Here the force of the simile is positive, the reference being to the swiftness with which the dove returns to its nest (cf. Psm. 55:6-8; Isa. 60:8). Again Egypt represents exile (see Hos. 8:13). Restoration from Assyria is also mentioned in Zec. 10:10-11.
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