“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I 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. “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans. My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them.
When we read this text and indeed the entire chapter, we can feel the compassion of God and begin to imagine the tears that must have flowed down the face of God. He is more than disappointed. He who made all things is heartbroken.
Over hundreds of years the people were being prepared to receive Jesus as Messiah.
To God, Israel was like a child who was loved.
The birth of a child changes the love between a husband and wife. Here is a being of their own flesh and love for each other. The child brings responsibilities; feeding, clothing, caring.
Then the baby learns to smile at those who care and hold the finger of those who hold them and a gift is offered to the parent. No position, no wealth, nothing in all humanity can compare to the love for a child by parents.
The child is absolutely dependent on others for it nourishment, care and consolation and when that child develops it is to those same people that love and devotion is given.
Israel was a child and God called him. Today we are the children of God and we are called by the same Heavenly Father. We are offered life and hope. A sacrifice has been made for us and a home provided.
Such love is given that we are never left alone. We are engraved on the palm of the Divine hand and our names are written in the Iamb's book of life.
Each Christian is a child but we must not always act as a child. We must eat of the meat of the word of God not simply drink its milk.
Then there are those around us who are young in faith and young in years. It is a privilege to offer to these our shared love of God. We are the examples of faith in Christ to show the way to others.
We must also be loving to God's other children keeping them close to the Father's side from which we ourselves must never stray.
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