Key verse: 8
THE HEART BURNS IN SPITE OF TREASON
God treats Israel with gentleness but the second captivity will come, more difficult than the first captivity in Egypt (1-7). But after this threat God gives his promise of raising them up. God's love will abound more than the infidelity of his people, because God's gifts are irrevocable; It's true that the exile is imminent, but Israel will come back (8-11).
1. He didn't recognize (1-7)
God loved Israel. He considered him as his firstborn son. From his youth, he loved him and took care of him. God's affection towards Israel was unimaginable. He was like a father who carries his little child, cheek to cheek. Then, he nourished him like a father. Then he healed him like a doctor, because the people were infected with Egyptian idolatry. But Israel didn't recognize this love, he turned his back on God to move towards the idols and worship them. Israel had a policy of coalescence with the powerful, but they abused him and they invaded his territory.
2. God's true heart (8-11)
The consequence of Israel's sins is the invasion and the havoc of the country by the enemy. It was a punishment worthy of his treason. But it wasn't what God wanted. What God wanted was to bless his people. God had never any idea of destroying Israel. But they are responsible for that, not God. God is always loving, not punitive. Israel's God is the holy God. He is full of mercy towards the people, though they are terrible sinners. If God wants to juge, none can remain on the earth. But God judges and punishes not like humans without mercy, but with love. Israel is indestructible because there is a "holy". This applies to the Church who will not perish. Thank you Lord, in spite of our unforgivable sins, God didn't destroy us but you cared for us because of your great mercy. The Lord roars like a lion who gathers his little ones. When they listen to his voice, the children run toward him like the doves who split through air to come back to their dovecote.
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