Out of Egypt

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels. My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all. How can I give you up, O 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. They shall go after the LORD; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the LORD. Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One. Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.
Hosea 11:1–12:1
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Out of Egypt
            If you are a parent or remember your own relationship with your parents this chapter in Hosea is quite relatable. Parents love their children. They have their hearts from the beginning and God speaks this way here about His children. He loves them as He loves you. He cares for them, as He cares for you. Yet children oftentimes go astray. We rebel against our parents and what is good for us, thinking we know better than them. So it is with God’s children, Israel. They turn from Him towards the false gods, just as we do. And in doing so invite God’s wrath. Yet He does not abandon them. He longs for a restored relationship with them, as with us. And so He does what we could never do, He restores the broken relationship. He sends His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring us back to Him. Recalling the Lord’s salvation out of the hands of Pharaoh and foreshadowing the time when He will call His Son to return from Egypt back to Judah, God brings His Salvation to His people, to you. And in Christ, we are reconciled to the Father. His wrath is poured out on His Son, wrath rightly meant for us, so that we would know the depth of His love. And as dear children ask their dear father, we ask for forgiveness and He grants it.