God’s Love for IsraelEsimerkki

Day 2 – God is a loving Father

Through the prophet Hosea, God reminds Israel of the early days in Egypt. Israel was a child, and God loved His child as a doting father. This is why He called His son and brought him out of Egypt. God loved His child so much that He carried him in His arms and taught him to walk.

But children can be stubborn and disobedient. Israel behaved like a disobedient child. Over and over again, we read in the Old Testament how Israel served idols, especially the Baals. Forces of nature, fertility, and success were honored as gods. This was a slap in the face to the true God because God seeks a relationship and wants to take care of His child (His people). Despite everything, in His love, God continued to long for His child. He never let go. Even when He was furious, His anger didn’t have the last word. Over and over, He continued to call His child and draw Israel to Himself with ‘cords of love.’ Finally, God proved His love by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ. He died for the sins of Israel and the nations. Now, through His death and resurrection, we, too, can live with God.

Thank God today for His unending love and faithfulness toward His people, Israel, and us as well!