God is the Loving Father of His People
1 When Israel was a child [a young nation], I loved him,
And I called My son out of Egypt.
2 The more they [the prophets] called them [to repentance and obedience],
The more they went away from them;
They kept sacrificing to the Baals
And burning incense to the carved images.
3 Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk,
Taking them in My arms [nurturing the young nation];
But they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led themgentlywith cords of a man, with bonds of love [guiding them],
And I was to them as one who lifts upandeases the yoke [of the law] over their jaws;
And I bent down to them and fed them.
5 They will not return to the land of Egypt,
But Assyria will be their king [bringing them into captivity]
Because they refused to returnto Me.
6 The sword will whirl againstandfall on their cities,
And will demolish the bars of their gatesandfortifications
And will consume them because of their counsels.
7 My people are bent on turning from Me;
Though the prophets call them tothe Oneon high,
None at all exaltsHim.
8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I surrender you, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you likeZeboiim?
My heart recoils within Me;
All My compassions are kindled together [for My nation of Israel].
9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;
I will not return to Ephraim to destroy him again.
For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst [who will not revoke My covenant],
And I will not come in wrathorenter the city [in judgment].
10 They will walk after the Lord[in obedience and worship],
Who will roar like a lion;
He will roar [summoning them]
AndHissons will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come tremblingandhurriedly like birds from Egypt
And like doves from the land of Assyria;
And I will settle them in their houses [in the land of their inheritance], declares the Lord.
12 Ephraim surrounds Me with lies
And the house of Israel with deceit;
Judah is also unruly against God,
Even against the faithful Holy One.