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.
Hosea 11:8-9
God speaks of his judgment at the faithlessness of his people, but shows his great mercy and compassion in these words. God is unlike us. We hold grudges and find it near impossible to forgive. We seek revenge and pour out hostility on those who reject us. God is not like us for he will never give up on his people.
We should have great comfort and security in God’s stubborn love for us.
Year in the Bible 