Chapter 2 · Encounter 18 of 48
Love That Will Not Let Go
Prepare
Through Hosea, God speaks about Israel's unfaithfulness using the tender language of a father remembering his child. The passage moves between affection, grief, judgment, and compassion.
As you read, notice what God remembers about his relationship with Israel, how the people have responded, and what his words reveal about his heart.
Then read the closing verses of Psalm 136 Psalm 136 1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7who made the great lights— His love endures forever. 8the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. 10to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. 11and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. 12with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. 13to him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever. 14and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever. 15but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever. 16to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever. 17to him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever. 18and killed mighty kings— His love endures forever. 19Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever. 20and Og king of Bashan— His love endures forever. 21and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever. 22an inheritance to his servant Israel. His love endures forever. 23He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. 24and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever. 25He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. 26Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.Psalm 136
Read Scripture
Open each passage here without leaving this Encounter.
Hosea 11:1-11
God’s Love for Israel
1“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2But the more they were called,
the more they went away from me.
They sacrificed to the Baals
and they burned incense to images.
3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.
4I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek,
and I bent down to feed them.
5“Will they not return to Egypt
and will not Assyria rule over them
because they refuse to repent?
6A sword will flash in their cities;
it will devour their false prophets
and put an end to their plans.
7My people are determined to turn from me.
Even though they call me God Most High,
I will by no means exalt them.
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 Zeboyim?
My heart is changed within me;
all my compassion is aroused.
9I will not carry out my fierce anger,
nor will I devastate Ephraim again.
For I am God, and not a man—
the Holy One among you.
I will not come against their cities.
10They will follow the Lord;
he will roar like a lion.
When he roars,
his children will come trembling from the west.
11They will come from Egypt,
trembling like sparrows,
from Assyria, fluttering like doves.
I will settle them in their homes,”
declares the Lord.
Psalm 136:23-26
23He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
25He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
26Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Ponder
- What does God remember about his care for Israel in Hosea 11:1–4? How does that picture contrast with Israel's response? What do God's words reveal about how he regards the people who have repeatedly turned away from him?
Hosea 11:1-4
God’s Love for Israel
1“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2But the more they were called,
the more they went away from me.
They sacrificed to the Baals
and they burned incense to images.
3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.
4I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek,
and I bent down to feed them.
- Hosea describes both the consequences of Israel's rebellion and God's compassion toward them. How do these appear together in the passage? What does this reveal about the nature of his steadfast love—and how might it challenge an understanding of love that simply overlooks wrongdoing?
Look Again
Look carefully at Hosea 11:8–9 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 Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man— the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.Hosea 11:8-9
After describing Israel's rebellion and the judgment it deserves, God asks, "How can I give you up?"
Then comes a surprising explanation: "For I am God, and not a man—the Holy One among you."
Notice that God's holiness is not presented here as the reason he must abandon his people. It is part of the explanation for his extraordinary mercy.
Return to those verses and consider what they reveal about the character of the God who pursues his people.
Practice
Think of a relationship in which someone's failure or unfaithfulness has made love difficult.
Without excusing wrongdoing or ignoring necessary boundaries, consider how God's steadfast love might shape your response. Is there a way to act with patience, pray for restoration, or refuse to surrender to bitterness?
Ask God for the grace to reflect his character in a way appropriate to that relationship.
Prayer
Thank God for his steadfast love, especially when your own faithfulness has been inconsistent. Speak honestly about the ways you have resisted or neglected him. Ask him to deepen your understanding of his mercy and to form in you a love that is both compassionate and truthful.