Definition: Ephraim [is] oppressed [and] broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Hosea 5:11 together. It's a really important and somewhat sobering message about God’s love and how He responds to our choices. Here’s a simple explanation: What it means: “Hosea 5:11” : This refers to a specific situation in the book of Hosea, which is a story about Hosea’s relationship with his wife, Betsey. “Ephraim is oppressed [and] broken in judgment…” : This describes a time when Hosea felt unfairly treated and punished by God. “Ephraim” represents Hosea himself – he was feeling like he was being wronged. "Oppressed" means suffering hardship; "broken in judgment" means God is giving him a painful, serious punishment. “…because he willingly walked after the commandment.” : This is the key part. “Willingly” means he wanted to obey God’s rules. “Walked after the commandment” means he followed what God told him to do – often through rules or laws. Putting it all together: Hosea was struggling because he deliberately chose to do what God said, even though it wasn't necessarily the best thing for his relationship with Betsey. He was following a rule, and that caused him pain and suffering. What’s the message? This verse is about God’s love . It shows that God knows we might make mistakes and choose to disobey Him. It's not about punishing us for our bad choices, but rather about showing His love by letting us know we need to change. Important takeaway: God isn't angry with us; He’s gently correcting us. He wants to help us learn and grow, even when it hurts. It’s a reminder that sometimes, we need to be willing to listen to God’s guidance, even if it means facing uncomfortable truths. Does this resonate with you? Would you like me to: Explain another part of Hosea 5:11? Talk about the context of the story in Hosea?