1 God’s Continuing Love for Israel “When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt Matt. 2:15 I called My Ex. 4:22, 23 son.
2 As they called them, So they 2 Kin. 17:13–15 went from them; They sacrificed to the Baals, And burned incense to carved images.
3 “I Deut. 1:31; 32:10, 11 taught Ephraim to walk, Taking them by their arms; But they did not know that Ex. 15:26 I healed them.
4 I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And Lev. 26:13 I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. Ex. 16:32; Ps. 78:25 I stooped and fed them.
5 “He shall not return to the land of Egypt; But the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent.
6 And the sword shall slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume them, Because of their own counsels.
7 My people are bent on Jer. 3:6, 7; 8:5 backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him.
8 “How Jer. 9:7 can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Gen. 14:8; 19:24, 25; Deut. 29:23 Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. Num. 23:19 For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror.
10 “They shall walk after the Lord . Is. 31:4; (Joel 3:16); Amos 1:2 He will roar like a lion. When He roars, Then His sons shall come trembling from the west;
11 They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt, Is. 11:11; 60:8; Hos. 7:11 Like a dove from the land of Assyria. Ezek. 28:25, 26; 34:27, 28 And I will let them dwell in their houses,” Says the Lord .
12 God’s Charge Against Ephraim “Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, And the house of Israel with deceit; But Judah still walks with God, Even with the Holy One who is faithful.