majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him in Hosea 11:8,
"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 Zeboiim? My heart
is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused."
In this chapter the Lord considers how he had given so much of himself
to Israel, the things he had done for the nation, "I loved him, and
out of Egypt I called my son." Verse 1. "It was I who taught Ephraim
to walk, taking them by the arms..." verse 3. "I led them with cords
of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their
neck and bent down to feed them." Verse 4. Here he expresses his
tender love and kindness to his people. The heart of the Lord is
clearly on display as he reveals himself as a loving parent whose
heart is overflowing for the child of his love and affection.
He also recounts how Israel responded to his loving kindness, "But the
more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed
to the Baals and they burned incense to images." Verse 2. "My people
are determined to turn from me." Verse 7. The indictment couldn't be
any clearer. The justness of the Lord's judgment of Israel could not
be questioned.
In the midst of this is the startling revelation of God's heart and
his affections for his people. I suspect most, and I include myself
among these, fail to have adequate appreciation for the fullness of
the love of our matchless Lord, his tremendous love for his people.
Within the revelation of himself in his prophesies, the Lord provides
us a picture of what he is really like. Far from the aloof, stoic god
of expectations so many see him as, the Lord portrays himself with
love in his heart and a passion for his people. Here is One with
feelings, One whose heart can be broken, whose heart desires the best
for his people, whose heart finds happiness and satisfaction in
blessing and caring for his own. Here is One who transcends the bounds
of the theology of most, whose heart can change and whose heart
responds to his people, whose heart can be aroused!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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