GOD WILL NOT GIVE UP ISRAEL
Hosea 11:1-11
I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man— the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities. They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. (9-10)
chapter 11
1. "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
2. But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.
3. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.
4. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.
5. "Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?
6. A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans.
7. My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them.
8. "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.
9. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man - the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.
10. They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
11. They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows, from Assyria, fluttering like doves. I will settle them in their homes," declares the LORD.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. God remembered his tender love for Israel when he called them out of Egypt. Israel was like his dear child. He taught him how to walk, nursed them to heal their wounds, bent down to feed them, and adored them as he led them with cords of tender kindness and ties of love (4).
2. Even though God is going to judge them for their prolonged sin against him, like a loving father waiting for his prodigal son, God says he cannot give up on Israel. He would not be able to bear seeing them cut off from his grace and suffer forever (8). Even if they have aroused his anger and deserve to be destroyed, in the end, God will roar against the enemies and gather his trembling children back under his embrace (10).
3. Salvation from God is not up to our unfaithful actions but up to the faithful mercy of the Lord. He will not give up on us once we have the covenant relationship as his children. We are secure in his mercy and love as nothing has the power to separate us from the love of God (Ro 8:35).
Prayer: Father, thank you for your unchanging love for this undeserving sinner. I am secure because you are strong. Please help me not to be swayed by opinions of the world, but be secure in you, remembering your unchanging love.
One Word: God loves us always