The Father Calls His Son Home
11 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more they were called, the more they turned away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to carved images. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them up by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness, with bands of love; I was like one who lifts the yoke from their jaws, and I bent down to feed them.
5 They will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria will be their king, because they refused to return. 6 The sword will whirl against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own schemes. 7 My people are bent on turning away from me; though they call to the Most High, he will not raise them up at all.
8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, 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. a a v8 Here the Father's own heart turns against the judgment his people deserve — he cannot bring himself to give up his children. This is the relenting, pursuing love at the very center of who he is. 9 I will not act on my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am your Father and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. 10 They will follow our Father; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. 11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will settle them in their homes, declares our Father.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with our Father, and is faithful to the Holy One.
