If we want to know how much God loves us, read Hosea 11. Time and time again Ephraim(Northern Kingdom) persistently and intentionally sins against God. God describes himself as a father to a son when it comes to his relationship with his people. He describes how he is like a parent teaching a toddler to walk, how he carried his child in his loving arms, and how he fed and cared for his child. He describes how he has done all of this and his people still choose to worship worldly idols anyway. This same God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins so that we would not have to pay for the sinful state of who we are and what we have done. He took the bullet for his children. He gave his life so that you and I could live with him in eternity. We have a good father that gives us chance after chance to have a relationship with him. He wants us to realize how much he loves us and he desires for us to be able to look at ourselves and the world we live in and love him more than any of those things. Jesus is waiting with open arms for his children to come home where they belong. We just have to choose with our lives to go home to our father. Love y’all! Have a great day!
Hosea 11:1-12
Read scripture…
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Israel called to the Egyptians even as Israel was leaving them. They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the hand, , but they never knew that I healed them. I led them with human cords, with ropes of love. To them I was like one who eases the yoke from their jaws; I bent down to give them food. Israel will not return to the land of Egypt and Assyria will be his king, because they refused to repent. A sword will whirl through his cities; it will destroy and devour the bars of his gates, , because of their schemes. My people are bent on turning from me. Though they call to him on high, he will not exalt them at all. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I surrender you, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? I have had a change of heart; my compassion is stirred! I will not vent the full fury of my anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not come in rage. They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. They will be roused like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes. This is the Lord’s declaration. Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit. Judah still wanders with God and is faithful to the holy ones.”
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