God's Love for His Child
Study note
God speaks as a loving parent remembering His child. When Israel was young, God loved him and called him out of Egypt. But the more God called, the further the people ran away, chasing after the Baal idols. God taught them to walk, holding them by their arms, but they did not realize He was the one caring for them. He led them with kindness and love, lifting the heavy yoke from their necks and bending down to feed them.
1 "When Israel was just a child, I loved him deeply. I called my son out of Egypt." When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
2 But the more I called to them, the farther they ran from me. They kept burning incense to the Baals and bowing down to carved idols. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
3 I was the one who taught Ephraim to walk, holding them by the hand. But they never realized I was the one taking care of them all along. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
4 I guided them with ropes of kindness and cords of love. I was like a parent who lifts a heavy yoke off a tired animal's neck. I bent down close and gently fed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
The Cost of Turning Away
Study note
Because the people refused to return to God, they will go into captivity. Assyria will rule over them since they refused to repent. War will sweep through their cities and destroy their defenses. God's people are determined to turn away from Him. Even though the prophets call them to look up to God, not one of them will lift their eyes.
5 They will not go back to Egypt this time. Instead, Assyria will rule over them. This is because they totally refused to come back to me. He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
6 War will sweep through their towns, smashing their gates and defenses to pieces, all because of the foolish plans they made. And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
7 My people have made up their minds to leave me. Even when I call them to look up to me, not one of them will lift their eyes. And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
God's Heart of Compassion
Study note
In one of the most emotionally powerful passages in the Old Testament, God cries out that He cannot give up on His people. How can He hand them over to destruction like the ancient cities of Admah and Zeboiim that were destroyed with Sodom? His heart is torn within Him, and His compassion overwhelms Him. He will not carry out His fierce anger, because He is God and not a human being. He is the Holy One among them. One day His people will follow Him, and He will bring them home.
8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I wipe you out like I did Admah? How can I treat you the way I treated Zeboiim? My heart is tearing apart inside me. My compassion is overwhelming everything else." How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
9 "I will not unleash the full force of my anger. I will not destroy Ephraim all over again. Because I am God, not a human being. I am the Holy One living right among you, and I will not come charging in with fury." I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
10 They will follow the LORD when he roars like a lion. When his roar sounds, his children will come hurrying from the west, trembling with eagerness. They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
11 They will come fluttering back like birds from Egypt and like doves from Assyria. I will settle them safely back in their own homes, the LORD promises. They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
12 Ephraim has wrapped me in lies, and the whole house of Israel surrounds me with deception. But Judah still walks with God and stays true to the Holy One. Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.