Hosea 11:4

‘I drew them with cords of a man,

With bands of love,

And I was to them as those who lift up the yoke on their jaws,

And I laid food before them.'

And in spite of their misbehaviour YHWH had not deserted them. He had drawn them along in their leading reins, bands which bound them to Him in love, and He had been to them like the man who takes out the horse's or oxen's bit so that he could feed them. He had constantly laid food before them (initially the manna and quails, and then the ‘old corn of the land' - Joshua 5:12).