TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
CHICAGO

​​

 

Hosea 11:1-11

​

God’s Love for Israel

 

11 “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.[1]
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.

​

​

Footnotes

1. Hosea 11:2 Septuagint; Hebrew them

​

​

"Fierce Anger,

 

Fierce Love"

-- Rev. Dennis C. Langdon