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Hosea 11:1-11

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 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. “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans. My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. “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. 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. They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows, from Assyria, fluttering like doves. I will settle them in their homes,” declares the Lord.

By: The Rt. Rev. William Wilson

The prophet Hosea has been excoriating the sins of Israel in the preceding chapters. Chapter 11 continues in the same vein, threatening His wayward child, Israel, with destruction by the sword of their enemies. Then, suddenly in verse eight, we observe God’s love override God’s justice. In a self-contradicting and irrational manner, the Holy One makes an abrupt 180 degree turn. His love overpowers His righteous anger. He forgives His prodigal son instead of punishing him. God feels His just wrath overwhelmed by His compassionate love, a love that cannot endure even the thought of His beloved suffering the consequences of their sins.

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger;I will not again destroy Ephraim;for I am God and not a man,the Holy One in your midst,and I will not come in wrath.”

How far will this tender hearted God go to protect His beloved child from the suffering and death that sin inflicts?

Enter Jesus, the last and greatest prophet. He shows us that the tender hearted God will take responsibility for the sins of the child He loves – that is, every human being conceived in the womb. He will endure sin’s consequence in suffering and death…so that the wayward child may be protected, found innocent, and inherit Life.