Hosea 11:1-4. 8-9
When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and I called my son out of Egypt.
But the more I called to him,
the farther he moved from me,
offering sacrifices to the images of Baal
and burning incense to idols.
I myself taught Israel how to walk,
leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn’t know or even care
that it was I who took care of him.
I led Israel along
with my ropes of kindness and love.
I lifted the yoke from his neck,
and I myself stooped to feed him.
Oh, how can I give you up, Israel?
How can I let you go?
How can I destroy you like Admah
or demolish you like Zeboiim?
My heart is torn within me,
and my compassion overflows.
9No, I will not unleash my fierce anger.
I will not completely destroy Israel,
for I am God and not a mere mortal.
I am the Holy One living among you,
and I will not come to destroy.
Here in Hosea we get a glimpse of God’s heart for his people. Many people think of God as angry and vengeful, but these verses show us that he has mercy even when we deserve destruction. He describes watching Israel “grow up” like a child. He asks himself the rhetorical question, “How can I let you go?” It is the struggle of any parent whose child has gone astray. Love and compassion go hand in hand. This passage ends with God making the decision not to destroy them because he is Immanuel — he is the Holy One living among his people.
Here’s your freedom for today: God will never give up on you.
Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people are the Israelites. When Jesus came, he helped the world see that being born Jewish doesn’t automatically make you right with God. Instead, God’s people are those that listen for his voice and acknowledge Jesus as the Savior of the world. God’s heart is for his people, and he desires for all of us to grow and move forward. His mercy keeps showing up, and in your life it means that no matter what God won’t give up on you. What is one thing you can ask him to help you with this year?