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Hosea 11 (ESV)
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more they were called,
the more they went away;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals
and burning offerings to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them up by their arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of kindness,
with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
and I bent down to them and fed them.
5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt,
but Assyria shall be their king,
because they have refused to return to me.
6 The sword shall rage against their cities,
consume the bars of their gates,
and devour them because of their own counsels.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me,
and though they call out to the Most High,
he shall not raise them up at all.
8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my burning anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.
10 They shall go after the Lord;
he will roar like a lion;
when he roars,
his children shall come trembling from the west;
11 they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,
and like doves from the land of Assyria,
and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
and the house of Israel with deceit,
but Judah still walks with God
and is faithful to the Holy One.
REFLECTION:
- In addition to using the relationship between husband and wife as a metaphor for the relationship between God and Israel, Hosea also described God as a loving Father. Israel is called “my son” (1), and God brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery because of His love and calling. As a nation and country, Israel is a child, but God, like a loving father teaching his children to walk, guide His people with His love and let them enjoy the beautiful land of Canaan.
- It is a pity that Israel became a “prodigal son” and left his benevolent father to take refuge in the Baals, provoking God’s judgment (5-7). The experience of slavery in Egypt will reappear, and they will also be ruled by the Assyrians. God sent prophets among them, and they did not listen. Refusing to return to God (2, 7). Such stubborn people can only wait for the fate of “swords, destruction, and devouring.” (6)
- But what about the heart of a loving father? His anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. He uttered a sigh of compassion to Israel, and the four phrases of “how can” (8) were enough to melt any hard heart. God is willing to “recoil his heart” for us, what is our response? God is the God who keeps His covenant and show mercy. He is the Holy One of Israel. God promised to gather the people back in the future, when they would return from the scattered places of Egypt and Assyria (cf. v5). The prodigal son can return home because his benevolent father beckons to him and uses His cord of love to lead him.
PRAYER:
Thank you Lord because you are my heavenly Father. Please use Your cord of love to guide me along the path of life.
HYMN:
