June 10, 2008

• The Mercy and Love of God Toward His People

  When Israel was a child, I loved him,
  And out of Egypt I called My son. (Mercy and Love)
  As they called them,
  So they went from them;
  They sacrificed to the Baals, 
  And burned incense to carved images. (Sin)
  I taught Ephraim to walk, 
  Taking them by their arms;
  But they did not know that I healed them. 
  I drew them with gentle cords,
  With bands of love, 
  And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.
  I stooped and fed them. (Mercy and Love)
  He shall not return to the land of Egypt; 
  But the Assyrian shall be his king, 
  Because they refused to repent. 
  And the sword shall slash in his cities, 
  Devour his districts, 
  And consume them,
  Because of their own counsels. 
  My people are bent on backsliding from Me. 
  Though they call to the Most High,
  None at all exalt Him. (Consequences of Sin)
  How can I give you up, Ephraim? 
  How can I hand you over, Israel? 
  How can I make you like Admah? 
  How can I set you like Zeboiim? 
  My heart churns within Me; 
  My sympathy is stirred. 
  I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; 
  I will not again destroy Ephraim. 
  For I am God, and not man, 
  The Holy One in your midst; 
  And I will not come with terror. (Mercy and Love)
  They shall walk after the LORD. 
  He will roar like a lion. 
  When He roars, 
  Then His sons shall come trembling from the west; 
  They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt, 
  Like a dove from the land of Assyria. 
  And I will let them dwell in their houses, (Power of God with the Mercy and Love of God) 
  Says the LORD.
  (Hosea 11 NKJV)

  Amazing passage.  Read it and reflect upon God and yourself.  Study this passage for it is the story of Redemption.  Man's failure and sin, God's mercy and love coming in to save the day, the consequences of sin and man's failure still coming, but God's mercy, love, and power is there to help us through it in our journey.

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