Hosea 11:1-9 is one of the oldest texts in the Old Testament that refer to Israel as God's son (v. 1). The passage has been badly passed down in tradition such that modern translators have to make choices as to how render it. Most difficult is the passage in verse 7 which is rendered differently in different translations. Inspite of the difficulties presented by the text, it is clear however that it is a recital of God's grace and Israel's refusal which culminates in an explosion not of wrath, but of compassion.

I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath
I will not destroy Ephraim

Hosea 2:16-25 is a prophetic oracle about the future that God reserves for her if and when she realizes her sins and returns to Yahweh, her "first husband (cf. Hos. 2:15)." The oracle develops in three stages corresponding to three moments in a love story: courtship (vv. 16-17), marriage (vv. 18-22), honeymoon (vv. 23-25). All throughout, it is God who acts. The first person verbs predominate; second and third person verbs are responses to God's actions.

The passages being offered for reflection come from Habakkuk's beginning lament (1:2-3) and God's response to that lament. (2:2-4). Seen in context, one will have to read 1:2-2:4. One can outline the contents of this section in the following way:

1:1 The Title of the Oracle
1: 2- 4: The Prophet's Lamentation
1: 5-11: The Vision of the Chaldaeans (=The Babylonians)
1:23-27: "Why, O God, Do You Just Watch?"
2: 1: Brief Introduction To God's Response
2: 2- 4: The Response Proper