by:
11/13/2024
0
“It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them” (3). Hosea used tender, familial language to describe how God had treated Ephraim/Israel with a father’s love: “When Israel was a child, I loved him” (1). God brought them out of Egypt and “raised” them, yet they sacrificed and burned incense to idols (2). Deeply attached, God grieved over them: “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?” (8).
“When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west ...” (11). God grieves over our rebellion and self-destruction. His powerful, sacrificial love keeps “roaring” and calling us home.